New plan to tackle sexual harassment
JEWISH WOMEN’S Aid will work with communal organisations to establish measures to combat sexual harassment.
The group announced on Monday that it was joining forces with the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council to discuss ways in which communal organisations can protect members and employees.
In a statement, the Board and JLC said they recognised JWA’s expertise, making it the “ideal organisation to lead the implementation of such measures.”
The Board said: “Jewish Women’s Aid has its own established training programme which has provided numerous rabbis, rebbetzens and other professionals across the breadth of the community with the skills to identify domestic abuse in all its forms.
“By exploring new ways of addressing sexual harassment alongside its existing work on domestic abuse, Jewish Women’s Aid will be able to provide sensitive and practical advice to assist those affected by this issue.”
JWA, the JLC and the Board will develop training and refresher courses on awareness of harassment and ways for staff at communal organisations to counter it.
A spokesperson for the Board said: “We intend that such measures would be introduced in close collaboration with chief executives and trustees of Jewish communal organisations.”
The announcement comes after the JC revealed the stories of six women, who told how they had been the victims of inappropriate behaviour from male colleagues while working for Jewish organisations, and how their complaints were ignored.
It led to the Board pledging to examine “ways to put in place robust and clear procedures” to tackle sexual harassment in the community.
The JC reports on sexual harassment also led to Rabbi Hannah Kingston, one of the community’s youngest rabbis, breaking her silence after inappropriate comments about her appearance.
Examples of inappropriate behaviour recalled by one woman included being told by colleagues to “dress sexy” when going to meet donors.
Others said they had experienced sexual harassment ranging from lewd comments to groping.
JWA will work with chief executives and trustees’