• visual (leering);
• verbal (sexual teasing, jokes, comments or questions);
• unwanted pressure for sexual favours or dates;
• unwanted touching or pinching;
• unwanted pressure for sexual favours, with implied threats of job
• related consequences for non co-operation;
• physical assault;
• sexual assault.

Background

Sexual harassment can take many forms including face-to-face, over the telephone, (verbally or text based), and via email (Stanko, 1988)

Despite the importance of sexual harassment as a barrier to employment, very little is known about the experiences of Black Minority Ethnic (BME) women. In today’s diverse society, an understanding of these issues is imperative, to ensure that all vulnerable groups in the workplace are protected. It is essential to understand BME women’s experiences of sexual harassment as developing this insight will help to ensure that effective workplace policies and training are implemented and delivered, and that the largely ignored issues of sexual harassment and BME women in UK organisations are addressed.

Who Are We Looking For And What Does It Involve?

We are looking for Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BME) women who live or have worked in the North West who have experienced or witnessed (i.e. of another BME female) any of the behaviours at work listed above in the past five years to take part in a face to face interview or telephone with a trained, experienced researcher, to discuss their experiences. We appreciate this is a sensitive area and we are keen to assure participants that all information will be confidential and anonymous. If you would like to participate in this important, groundbreaking study, one of the project team will contact you to arrange a convenient date, time and place to conduct the interview. We very much value your participation and as an appreciation of this, we will make the final report and recommendations available to you upon request.

If you are interested in participating in this rewarding study please contact the research team on:

• 0161 306 3499
• 07920 297144
• cdwp@mbs.ac.uk

Reviewed and approved by the University of Manchester Research Ethics Committee (reference 06198)

What is KAN?

The 12 month Know and Network (KAN) project is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). The KAN team is based at Salford Business School (University of Salford) and is conducting research into women’s business opportunities and advancement. We are working to address the under representation of women in IT which results in a lack of access to mentoring and support. We encourage women to get involved with KAN and meet others from the IT industry; we invite women in IT to use the KAN network to construct their professional identities and networks online. The site features blogs in which you can share knowledge and ideas. If you would like to become a member of the Know and Network online community then please visit the KAN web site for further information.

The Survey

The Know and Network team would like you to tell us what you think about social networking (blogs and blogging). We have a survey that is currently active and waiting for your input:

Complete the Survey.

We invite you to take this survey which should take no longer that 10 minutes to complete and give us your answers and opinions on everything from personal characteristic and demographic information to the various aspects of social networking. Most of the questions are optional and your identity is anonymous and the data you provide will be valuable for the project. We make every effort to continuously improve the Know and Network website based on members and non-members feedback, and your response to this survey will help us further develop Know and Network community, activities, and logistics for future events. We really appreciate your contribution.

If you require any further information, please contact Beryl Burns.