We’re still dangerously unaware of the full extent of sexual harassment in the workplace

Having reported on the still very alpha male-dominated world of business and finance for the last eight years, I could write a book about the sexist remarks and inappropriate jibes I’ve been on the receiving end of

Dozens have courageously shared their own awful experiences following the allegations of sexual assault by Harvey Weinstein (WireImage)

If there’s one upside to the harrowing tales of physical and psychological abuse that have seeped out of the entertainment industry this month, it’s that they have catapulted issues around sexual harassment and sexism into the mainstream.

Scrolling through my social media feeds, I’m stunned and encouraged by all the women who have lent their voice to the #MeToo campaign – many of whom I know to usually be coy when speaking publicly about themselves.

Dozens have courageously shared their own awful experiences. Others have simply expressed their solidarity by echoing the hashtag, leaving the extent of the horror that they might have endured to our own imagination.

Both approaches are brave and equally important and I applaud anyone who has admitted to being a victim to any degree.

But perhaps even more concerning than the sheer number of people acknowledging that they have suffered, is the number of those who are still not comfortable speaking out – those who are under the impression that their experience doesn’t count, and those who are still terrified of the possible repercussions of raising their voice, especially in the workplace.

The results of a nationally representative online survey of 2,000 UK adults released by Opinium Research on Wednesday show that over 2.5 million women have reported being a victim of sexual harassment at work.

An alarming figure, no doubt, but the survey also found that issues are woefully underreported. In fact, two thirds of women questioned said that they had experienced sexism and sexual harassment in the workplace but had not previously reported it.

The uncomfortable truth is that so many of us are guilty of keeping shtum and turning a blind eye to something we should be casting an ugly, unforgiving spotlight on – relentlessly. It’s silence like this that is protecting the perpetrators.

Having reported on the still very alpha male-dominated world of business and finance for the last eight years, I could write a book about the sexist remarks and inappropriate jibes I’ve been on the receiving end of. Add to that the things I’ve witnessed and instances I’ve been told about, and I could publish several volumes.

As a brand new reporter I remember nervously attending a conference abroad and being cornered by a very senior banker at the coffee bar. To my utter confusion— seemingly out of the blue— he leaned in, patted me on the hip and told me to meet him at his hotel just around the corner in two hours.

I was so embarrassed and baffled that I pretended not to understand him, almost dropped my tea cup, smiled and turned away.

I realised later that part of my deflection had been to help him save face – I was doing this pitiful creature a favour because I needed to keep him on side in order to do my job.

Even now I feel nauseous writing about the episode. I wouldn’t have even considered telling anyone about it at the time. And I wouldn’t for a second have described myself as a victim of sexual harassment.

In the subsequent years I’ve found myself in similarly uncomfortable situations – ranging in seriousness from patronisingly being called a “dear” in meetings, to a work colleague holding my hand and telling me to call him if I get a divorce.

Some of the scenarios upset me but most just made me cringe. None gave me the confidence to join the #MeToo movement this month. After all, I didn’t want to risk equating my own objectionable experiences to the horrors suffered by those who have had to come to terms with something as atrocious and traumatic as rape.

But today’s data has changed my mind.

The only way to tackle this rampant sexual harassment epidemic – that spans far beyond the entertainment and business worlds – is to call out every single crumb of inappropriateness that we hear about, witness or experience in any shape or form. Nothing – no gesture, crack or attitude – is too trivial or petty to report, and our employers have a duty to understand this.

We’ve come a long way by making the accusations levelled at Harvey Weinstein the subject of any given dinner party or office kitchen conversation. Each woman or man who declares that she or he has been a victim of abuse contributes to raising crucial awareness and is a hero in my eyes.

But let’s also remember the people who are unspoken for and don’t have the strength or confidence to vocalise what has happened to them. If we can, let’s speak out on their behalf. And if not, let’s hope that they will eventually see sexism and harassment for exactly what it is: despicable, inexcusable and absolutely nothing at all for any victim to be ashamed of.