Dr Jennifer Thomson

Lecturer in Comparative Politics

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies

University of Bath

 

@jencthomson | [log in to unmask] | (+44)1225 385912

 

Dear all,

As Chair of the PSA, I have been approached by one of our colleagues who would like to write a blog for the PSA website regarding the sexual harassment, violence and bullying taking place at Westminster. The blogger would like to include the stories of others who have had similar experiences.

 

You may have seen this PSA statement issued earlier this week included below.

 

The PSA serves to support our members in their research and professional growth. Perhaps one way we can ensure that this issue stays on the agenda and that there is some form of action taken to establish formal, independent complaints procedures, is to tell our stories.

 

If you have experienced sexual harassment, violence or bullying while researching or working at the Houses of Parliament or other legislatures or political institutions in the UK, whilst researching or working with an MP or with a political party, and you would like to share your experience, you can do so anonymously.

 

We are not asking for anyone to name the perpetrators. This is an attempt as a non-partisan academic learned society to provide evidence of the extent of the problem of sexual harassment, violence and bullying experienced by academics as they study politics in the UK

 

Please send any comments you wish to make directly to me by the end of Friday Nov. 10, 2017 and I will anonymously send those to the author, who herself wishes to remain anonymous for reasons she will explain in the blog.  My email address is: [log in to unmask]

 

Thank you,

Angelia Wilson, Chair

Political Studies Association

 

 

PSA Statement on Sexual Violence, harassment and bullying (Nov. 2, 2017)

 

In light of the recent accusations of sexual impropriety against public figures The PSA wishes to place on record that it regards any form of sexual violence, sexual harassment or bullying as abhorrent and offers its full support to the victims and survivors of abuse of any kind. 

 

The PSA exists to support its members, many of whom regularly work within the Houses of Parliament alongside MPs and party officials. We therefore welcome the news that the Speaker of the House and the leaders of all political parties have publically recognised the seriousness of sexual violence, sexual harassment and bullying in politics and wider society.

 

We strongly encourage anyone who may have been subject to an abuse of power to access the support networks at their universities or in their trade unions.

 

Professional organisations such as the Samaritans or Rape Crisis have national and regional support services. The Survivors Trust also has helplines dedicated to specific abuses. Its website also contains an extensive list of local Sexual Assault Referral Centres and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors. 

 

While the current spotlight rests on Westminster, we in academia should not be complacent about the presence of such behaviour in our own sector. Over the past six months The PSA has been developing a sexual violence, sexual harassment and bullying policy intended to protect our members from situations where such incidents may occur, and to establish reporting strategies if they happen.

 

The PSA defends the right of everyone to go to work, conduct research and live their lives without the threat of sexual violence, sexual harassment and bullying.

 

The PSA encourages all its members to work with their institutions and employers to ensure reporting and support structures are robust enough to deal with any form of complaint.

 

We hope that the current attention on this vital issue will help create a future environment in both politics and academia where sexually aggressive behaviour is no longer tolerated, where survivors feel supported to report their abusers, and where perpetrators are no longer protected from justice by peer and institutional pressures.