Local organization partners on county-wide survey of sex harassment in the workplace

WEST CHESTER >> As the number of workplace sexual harassment claims continue to rise on a national level, the Chester County Commissioners reached out to the Chester County Women’s Commission and the Chester County Fund for Women and Girls to develop a confidential 10-minute survey to gather data that can ultimately be used by Chester County employers to spark conversations about healthy and safe workplace environments for all.

The survey is anonymous and administered by an independent third party. Although all men and women who work or live in Chester County are encouraged to participate, the survey is completely

voluntary. Respondents will have opportunities to share comments, details and stories about their experiences, while also opting to skip questions or exit the survey at any time if need be.

“The Chester County Women’s Commission, with the support of the Chester County Commissioners and the Chester County Fund for Women and Girls, looks forward to engaging in community conversations and strategies to encourage healthy, safe, and productive workplace environments in Chester County,” says Wendy Leeper, President of the Women’s Commission and Executive Director of the Chester County Bar Association.

How can the community get involved? Share your experiences with workplace sexual harassment by taking the short survey here. Send the survey link to your female and male coworkers, colleagues, family members, friends and neighbors, and help spread the word on social media by using the campaign hashtag #ChescoKnows. Hard copies of the survey are also available to ensure that all have access to participate.

The Women’s Commission and CCFWG are also offering a downloadable toolkit for those interested in helping to promote the survey in their workplaces. Please contact President of the Women’s Commission, Wendy Leeper, at 610-6921889 or ccwomenscommission@gmail.com with any questions regarding the survey or its distribution.

Discussion around this topic can trigger emotional responses. For anyone who may be uncomfortable or feel the need to talk to someone, please reach out to community partners like The Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County (610692-7273) or The Domestic Violence Center of Chester County (610-431-1430). Both hotlines are free and someone is available to talk 24/7.

The survey deadline is Dec. 21, 2018; findings will be released in the spring of 2019.