Discuss the reasons why victims of work place gender based violence do not report their

victimisation . Discuss

Violence in the workplace can have many roots .Fortunately most workplace violence
does not result in tragedy , shooting or eventually death but many such as fighting ,
harassments , threats or inappropriate behaviour are the some of the many acts that
lead to more serious incidents and most did not voice their concerns .Certain work factors
, processes and interactions can put people at increased risk from gender based violence
at workplace .Preventive measures generally fall into three categories , workplace design
, administrative practices and work practices .The lack of reporting is a serious barrier .

Gender based violence refers to harmful acts directed at an individual based on their
gender . It is rooted in gender inequality , the abuse of power and harmful norms .
Gender based violence is a serious violation of human rights and it is preventable .This
can include sexual , physical , mental and economic harm inflicted in public or in
private . It also includes threats of violence , coercion and manipulation .Gender based
violence happens in different and certain places even at workplace . This is referred to as
work place violence which is an act or threat of physical violence , harassment ,
intimidation and other threatening disruptive behaviour that occurs at a workplace
environment .It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even
homicide .This can affect and involve employees , clients , customers and visitors at work
site .

However unfortunately many workplace violence cases go unreported for so many

reasons such as fear . Employees are dealing with so many workplace violence and they
consider silence is the safer choice because of fear . As to turn in the person or report the
situation for fear of retaliation to themselves , their families or their co-workers .
Moreover so many cases unreported because employees are afraid that if they report a
situation they might end up involved in a lawsuit or the person that they reported may file
a grievance against them . Gender based violence at a workplace because the fear that the
victims are aware that reporting people who are above you in the career chain can
impact your career progression affect ones career .

Gender based violence in a working environment can happen to both males and females
but is mostly happens to females . Some do not report their victimisation because some
want to avoid judgement and criticism at the workplace . Some workers want to escape or
avoid with the judgement and criticism of their peers and supervisors and stigmatised for
being involved in a workplace accidents . Furthermore reporting a hazard is losing
reputation that you had built and embarrassed and this makes employees to just give up
on doing the right thing . Perhaps ,the victim has seen it happen to others and does not
think reporting is worth the while .

Gender based violence of the underreporting of violent events has defined as failure of
victimised employees to report these events because they do not know how to report
such ,where to report these incidents and who to report to in the workplace environment
.Underreporting hinders violence at workplace prevention efforts . The lack of company
policies results in gender based violence at workplace not to be reported . The office were
the employee supposed to tell or report to about confidentiality most employees are
confused . The reporting procedure is a must have in any workplace violence policy . The
employers must let it be known their people know very clearly who they should and
need to report such incidents in a working environment and to report such
issues .Employers need to make it clear to all the employees who to report workplace
violence and that they would or will support and protect the employees from the
harassment , retaliation and intimidation .Most victims may not be sure if what they
experienced is actually considered harassment and may feel they have no right to report
it.

The cases go unreported and dealt with the victim would think they would not be believed
at the workplace , so there is no point or that even if he or she nothing will be done so
most victims lose hope .There maybe be a culture of sweeping things under the rug or
there may be hints that this type of behaviour tolerated or a history of improper
investigation , this may be an incorrect assumptions but one that keeps a person from
reporting a problem .The workplace culture may not support the victim and might seem to
support the harassment and the behaviour may seem to normal which will discourage
anyone from saying anything . Provide anti workplace violence training to supervisors
and all employers .

Another factor is reporting a problem means reliving the problem which might a threating
issue to the victim , which is in itself a reason to not report the matter . It could also bring
past issues making confronting it too difficult . There could also be a situation in which the
individual simply does not want to go through the whole process of interrogation and a
whole lot of investigation . May also assume there wont be confidentiality . Furthermore a
victim might be afraid of creating other problems as result of the report in which by
would want to avoid a process of investigation making the situation worse .
The lack of training of employees results in workplace violence . Employees also need to
have a clear understanding of what workplace violence is what the warning signs are
and how to handle a potentially violent situation . Many companies institute policies
even and have employees sign off on those policies even when there is no real
understanding of workplace violence and its severity from a safety and liability stand
point . A company needs a workplace violence expert so such issues and topics must be
addressed and reinforced . Workers who feel uncomfortable , offended or threated may
be intimidated to say anything .Prevention is the best tool to eliminate violence n the
workplace .

References
Osho publication 3153 (2009
Janet Lutman Rather
NW Washington DC 20006)
Centre for Occupational health and safety 1997
Sandra Mutombwa
Diploma in Business in Management
W220309