Noeline Blackwell: ‘Everyone knows the person who reports sexual harassment at work is at risk of being seen as the problem’

A survey by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has found evidence of widespread sexual harassment in the workplace – and that most of it goes unreported. Making it a health and safety issue could make it easier for victims to come forward, says its chief executive

Noeline Blackwell, chief executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. Picture: Fergal Phillips

Over the past number of months, workers across many sectors in the Irish economy have been returning to their offices. While the social aspect of work is important to the wellbeing and productivity of many people, for a significant number, returning to work can mean returning to the site of sexual harassment, assault or abuse.

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) recently launched a report on workplace sexual harassment with a view to finding effective solutions ...