Police Officers West Midlands Police (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Police staff working for forces in England and Wales are subject to high levels of sexual harassment, according to new research from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Unison, and the University of Surrey.

The survey, based on a survey of 1,776 police staff in England, Wales and Scotland, found 4% of police staff reported being pressurised into having sex with colleagues, or being told that sexual favours could result in preferential treatment (8%).

The survey showed that half (49%) the police staff questioned had heard sexualised jokes being told repeatedly at work. One in five (19%) had received a sexually explicit email or text from a colleague.

Additional findings include:

a third (33%) have faced intrusive questioning about their private lives

more than a fifth (21%) have experienced inappropriate staring or leering

almost one in five (18%) have been touched in a way that made them feel uncomfortable

a similar percentage (18%) have seen colleagues make sexual gestures at work

12% have witnessed/been the subject of unwelcome touching, kissing or hugging

11% have been asked out on a date by a colleague, despite making it clear they were not interested

6% have been sent an explicit poster or photo

In the vast majority of cases, the survey found that colleagues – either police officers or staff – had instigated the sexually harassing behaviour.

The research found that the more serious the harassment, the less likely it was that the affected staff member would report it. Nearly two in five (39%) survey respondents said keeping quiet was easier than complaining, and more than a third (37%) said nothing would be done if they did complain.

According to 34% of staff, the gossiping culture at work meant they didn’t believe the matter would be kept confidential, and 32% felt they would not be taken seriously.

The analysis of the findings is a joint venture between Professor Jennifer Brown of the Department of Social Policy LSE and the trade union Unison, which represents police staff. Unison is working with the The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) to address and eradicate sexual harassment.

Professor Jennifer Brown said: “This research finds levels of sexual harassment consistent with that reported in police forces internationally as well as other workplace surveys. This is a serious problem for police forces. When staff are already under pressure, what they need is to be able to work in an environment that respects them rather than generates yet further stress.”