KINGSTON, Jamaica— Gender Minister Olivia Grange is urging public and private sector organisations to take steps to implement sexual harassment policies by the end of June 2024.

In a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Grange reminded employers and institution heads that a written policy statement concerning the prevention of sexual harassment is required in the work place or institution.

“Under the law, this policy must be prepared and brought to the attention of each worker, client, student, resident, ward, inmate, patient or member, as the case may require, within 12 months of the commencement date of the Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention) Act,” the minister told the House.

The commencement date of the Act was July 3, 2023 meaning that the deadline for government and private work places and institutions to develop and implement their policies is the end of June, 2024 in order to avoid penalties, the statement said.

Minister Grange said a sexual harassment policy should include, among other things: a definition of sexual harassment in keeping with the law; a statement to the effect that workers, clients, students, residents, wards, inmates, patients or members, as the case may be, at or of the institution, are entitled to an environment that is free of sexual harassment.

According to the minister, a policy should state that “disciplinary measures, as are appropriate, shall be taken against any person under the direction of the employer, or the person in charge of the institution, who subjects any worker, client, student, resident, ward, inmate, patient or member, as the case may be, to sexual harassment and that due process shall be exercised in this regard.”

The sexual harassment policy should also outline the internal mechanisms and procedures available to a complainant and the resolution and settlement of the complaints; and should explain the disciplinary measures that may be taken in respect of sexual harassment.

“Importantly, it should inform the workers, clients, students, residents, wards, inmates, patients or members, as the case may be, of their right to seek redress from the Tribunal under Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention) Act,” Grange said.

Grange described the implementation of the Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention) Act as a “triumph for all the people of Jamaica.”

“Sadly, Sexual harassment has been a feature of interactions in workplaces and institutions. The tentacles of sexual harassment reach deep for those who have suffered at its hands. Often, their complaints have often been dismissed or never entertained.  This law changes all of that. The Sexual Harassment (Protection and Prevention) Act, protects all women and men from unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favours and crude sexual behaviours that affect quality of life by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. The law provides relief for victims, punishment for perpetrators, and a deterrent to sexual harassment,” the minister said.