AN elderly male doctor kept asking his female subordinate to wear perfume and 'sexy clothing'.
He constantly commented on whether she looked sexy enough, and even asked her to cut his toenails and rub cream on his elbows.
He also asked her to accompany him to social events as an escort.
The nurse in a private clinic, in her 20s, felt so afraid she considered leaving her job. She called women's activist group Aware (Association of Women for Action and Research) for help earlier this year.
Her story, while disturbing, is an oft-untold yet familiar one.
The first published study on workplace sexual harassment here, released yesterday by Aware, showed that more than half of the 500 people surveyed had experienced some form of sexual harassment at work.
The majority of victims were women aged 21 to 25. Most were harassed by either a colleague or superior.
Said Ms Leigh Pasqual, chairman of Aware's sub-committee on workplace sexual harassment: 'The high percentage of people who have experienced sexual harassment is shocking. It is an issue we need to bring out of the shadows and do something about.'
But the definition of sexual harassment varies across cultures and workplaces, and can take verbal, visual, or physical form.
Said Ms Pasqual: 'The essential common denominator is that it has to be unwanted and unwelcomed by the recipient.'
Aware had surveyed 500 adults, both men and women, aged below 20 to above 55, between August and December last year via the organisation's website and through street surveys.
Companies here were also approached to share their policies against sexual harassment.
But out of 92 companies approached between April last year and February this year, including local and foreign organisations from both private and public sectors, only seven shared their policies.
A staff member from one of the organisations who declined to respond told Aware that they had no inputs and did not believe such a problem existed in Singapore.
The Manpower Ministry also told Aware that there were no official guidelines for employers on workplace sexual harassment, and had no immediate plans to develop such guidelines. Companies with specific policies against sexual harassment include Singapore Airlines and The Body Shop.
Said Ms Pasqual: 'Some 61 companies did not respond to us at all, while 23 declined after initial contact.
'Such responses are telling in that companies here are either unaware of the issue or reluctant to broach the subject. Many may not have policies in place to address the problem.
'We hope that this survey will be a starting point for further research and change.'
For now, Aware advises victims to come forward and not suffer in silence.
Said Ms Pasqual: 'Talk about it to friends, family, and colleagues to ease your emotional distress.
'Keep a written record of all the incidents of harassment in detail and make a report to your organisation.
'Seek help at centres that provide trauma counselling such as family service centres. There is no need to suffer alone.'
Victims of sexual harassment can call Aware's helpline at 1800-774-5935.
Physical
Being brushed against or touched in an unwelcome or discomforting way
Being stood very close to or cornered
Being forcibly kissed or hugged, or made to touch someone
Sexual assault, rape
A woman in her 20s was taking a break in the back room of the restaurant where she worked.
Her male colleague leaned over her, touched her breast and pressed on her until he ejaculated on her.
Before this, he had touched her inappropriately many times, despite her protests.
She developed a fear of men and became nervous at work. She also could not sleep at night.
She eventually reported the incident to her boss, who transferred her to a new workplace.
The harasser is still employed in the organisation.
Visual
Repeatedly receiving e-mails, instant messages and SMSes containing unwelcome and sexually explicit language
Having someone expose their private parts to you, or repeatedly stare at your body parts in an unwelcome and discomforting way
Being made to repeatedly look at sexually explicit images, or shown obscene sexual gestures
A woman was constantly stared at by her male colleague.
He would intentionally stop by her office door and stare at her.
She spoke to her boss, who then decided to have a meeting with both the harasser and the woman.
But during the meeting, she was made to feel humiliated.
She now feels nervous and worried at work.
Verbal
Being called offensive terms like 'bitch', 'bimbo', 'ah-kua'
Getting personal comments about body parts or sex life
Having to listen to unwelcome dirty jokes
Being pestered for dates or getting unwelcome sexual invitations
Being repeatedly subjected to sexually suggestive, obscene or insulting sounds
A woman working at a bank went to see a client at his home.
During her presentation, he kept asking her personal questions, such as whether she was single and what kind of men she liked.
After the meeting, when she offered her hand for a handshake, he pulled her towards him for a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
She reported the incident to her boss, who agreed to speak with the client.
This article was first published in The New Paper on July 10, 2008.
