2 April 2026

On 1st April, the government announced the commencement of the Public Sexual Harassment Act, making intentional harassment in public a criminal offence. Sue Harper, Director of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Prevention at Hestia:

“The Public Sexual Harassment Act is a really important step forward. For the first time, employers have a clear legal duty to prevent sexual harassment, not just respond after the fact. However, legislation alone won’t change workplace culture. We know from our work in domestic abuse and sexual violence prevention that harmful behaviours sit on a spectrum, and unless organisations actively challenge them, they persist.

The opportunity here is to move from policy to practice, creating environments where people feel safe, believed, and able to speak up. That has to include everyone. While women are disproportionately affected, sexual harassment can impact anyone, and responses must reflect that reality.

This is where employers have a real opportunity, not just to meet their legal obligations, but to lead cultural change. We’ve seen through our work with employers that when organisations take a proactive, whole-workplace approach, it not only prevents harm but builds safer, more productive environments for everyone.”

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