Today, Monday 23 September is Bisexual Visibility Day

Equalities September 23 2019

I hope you will join the TUC in marking the day and letting all of our bisexual members know the trade union movement has and will continue to stand up for their right to be visible and free from discrimination.

To mark the day the TUC has done a further analysis of the raw data the TUC LGBT Sexual Harassment Report is drawn from looking specifically at the experiences of bisexual workers and the impact workplace sexual harassment has had on them.

You can find full details within the attached embargoed press release but the headline statistics are that;

  • 1 in 5 bisexual people report they have been sexually assaulted at work
  • 1 in 9 (11%) said they had been seriously sexually assaulted or raped at work
  • 1 in 4 bisexual people reported they had experienced sexual harassment and that it made them leave or want to leave their job, with 1 in 8 leaving as a result
  • Twice as many bisexual workers (24%) reporting a detrimental impact on their health as a result of the harassment

Interestingly the research also found that 2 in 5 (42%) bisexual people don’t feel able to be open with anyone at work about their sexual orientation.

We believe a change in the law is needed to better protect all workers from sexual harassment and will be using the day to encourage members to sign our petition calling on the government to change the law to make employers responsible for preventing sexual harassment.

Alongside of this press release the TUC will be publishing a blog which has further details and goes live on today. You will be able to access the blog at the following link:

https://www.tuc.org.uk/blogs/1-5-bisexual-people-have-been-sexually-assaulted-work

The  CWU’s newly appointed Head of Equality, Education & Development Kate Hudson said “We welcome the report prepared by the TUC which looked at LGBT Sexual Harassment and the findings which bring home just how acute this problem remains. Today is Bi Visibility Day and the CWU are delighted to acknowledge this day as LGBT harassment is still a huge problem in the workplace and our members will know that this Trade Union is always behind them and at the same time developing a positive platform to promote better rights and awareness.”