Workers in Ontario have the right to be free from sexual harassment.

SHAPE can provide free public legal information and summary legal advice to workers experiencing workplace sexual harassment. We can also provide training and resources to employers looking to understand their legal responsibilities to address and prevent workplace sexual harassment.

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Workers in Ontario have the right to be free from sexual harassment.

SHAPE can provide free public legal information and summary legal advice to workers experiencing workplace sexual harassment. We can also provide training and resources to employers looking to understand their legal responsibilities to address and prevent workplace sexual harassment.

What is Workplace Sexual Harassment?

Workplace sexual harassment includes unwanted verbal, visual or physical behaviours that are based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression such as:

  • Comments about someone’s body or their sexuality
  • Sexist jokes and language
  • Demanding dates or sexual favours
  • Sexually explicit bragging (“locker room talk”)
  • Intrusive questions about someone’s gender identity or body parts
  • Using sexist or homophobic language or any unwanted  behaviour that targets someone’s gender identity or sexuality
  • Displaying sexual images (such as pornography)
  • Sending someone unwanted sexual images, text messages, or emails
  • Unnecessary physical contact, including unwanted touching
  • Invading personal space
  • Sexually suggestive gestures
  • Sexual assault

Who is impacted by Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment can and does impact people of all genders, sexualities, and races.
However, sexual harassment disproportionately impacts women, racialized workers, 2SLGBTQ+ workers, low-income workers, and newcomers.

 

If you work in Ontario, even as a volunteer, or an intern, you are protected against workplace sexual harassment. This applies to workers who have quit or lost their jobs. We can provide you with free summary legal advice and information on your rights and your employer’s responsibilities to protect you from harassment.

About SHAPE

SHAPE is a coalition of 20 Ontario community legal clinics providing free public legal education and summary legal advice to prevent and address workplace sexual harassment.  We are staffed by lawyers and paralegals.

 

We provide public legal education to all stakeholders, including workers and employers. 

We will provide legal advice to any worker in Ontario regardless of income or location.  

We are trying to reach workers who may not know their rights including:

  • Precarious workers
  • Young workers
  • Newcomers and racialized workers
  • Women working in male-dominated workplaces
  • Vulnerable workers
  • Indigenous workers
  • Those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Low-income workers.  

What can I do as an Employer?

Training reduces sexual harassment in the workplace.

SHAPE can provide employers with the tools required to build a healthy and safe workplace. SHAPE provides free public legal information to employers and workers that helps strengthen the workplace. Our goal is to reduce and eliminate workplace sexual harassment.

We can customize our training materials to meet the needs of your workplace, training topics include:

  • What is Workplace Sexual Harassment
  • Reporting and Responding to Workplace Sexual Harassment
  • Bystander Intervention

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This website is for general information purposes only.  Please contact your local legal clinic for advice about your situation

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