If you suspect or witness sexual harassment, it is crucial to address the situation and not turn a blind eye.
- Talk to the person being sexually harassed. Ask how the person feels, show them your support, and disapproval of the harasser’s actions.
- Advise the person to report the harassment to their manager, supervisor or other responsible persons.
- Note any relevant information about the harasser’s actions: date, time, place, and circumstances. This information can be very useful if the harassed person decides to report the situation. Your statement can be crucial.
- If the harassed colleague does not want to report the harassment, you can do so. Before taking action, it is essential to carefully consider how to avoid causing further harm to the victim.
- Follow up on how the situation is being addressed. If you have reported harassment but no action has been taken, do not hesitate to escalate the matter to higher management or report it to the appropriate authorities.
Legal Regulation in Lithuania and Consequences of Sexual Harassment
The Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men and the Law on Equal Opportunities in Lithuania stipulate that employers, educational institutions, and research organisations must ensure that employees, pupils, and students are not subjected to sexual harassment. Additionally, the Law on Equal Opportunities mandates that sellers of goods and service providers must prevent sexual harassment towards consumers.
Under equal opportunity laws, the burden of proof lies with the accused. This means that the accused must demonstrate that they did not perpetrate sexual harassment against the person who reported the behaviour.
Employers are obligated to ensure that employees do not experience sexual harassment in the workplace. If harassment occurs, the employer has the right to dismiss the offender without notice or severance pay.
A person found guilty of sexual harassment can face criminal liability if the harassment was directed at a subordinate. Penalties may include a fine, incarceration, or arrest.
If the victim of sexual harassment initiates a civil lawsuit, the perpetrator may be required to compensate for both material and non-material damages.
More information about sexual harassment.
