MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on combating sexual harassment and abuse in the EU
24.10.2017 - (2017/2897(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 123(2) of the Rules of Procedure
Arne Gericke on behalf of the ECR Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0576/2017
B8‑0576/2017
European Parliament resolution on combating sexual harassment and abuse in the EU
The European Parliament,
– having regard to Directive 2006/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on the implementation of the principle of equal opportunities and equal treatment of men and women in matters of employment and occupation (recast)[1],
– having regard to Council Directive 2004/113/EC of 13 December 2004 implementing the principle of equal treatment between men and women in the access to and supply of goods and services, which defines and condemns harassment and sexual harassment[2],
– having regard to Rule 123(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas negative stereotypes relating to women remain widespread and can lead to harassment and even physical or sexual violence;
B. whereas victims of sexual harassment are harmed in terms not only of their physical and mental wellbeing, but also of their working lives;
C. whereas one in ten women have been subjected to sexual harassment or stalking via new technology, while 75 % of women in higher decision-making roles have had to withstand sexual harassment;
1. Believes strongly that equality between women and men, as one of the fundamental values of the European Union, should be fully respected, promoted and applied in legislation, practice and daily life;
2. Believes strongly that efforts to combat sexual harassment and sexual violence are part of a commitment to gender equality; stresses that supporting victims of sexual harassment in all its forms must remain a priority for the Member States and all EU institutions;
3. Believes that key actions to combat sexual harassment include tackling the issues of under-reporting and social stigma, establishing procedures of workplace accountability, active engagement of men and boys in violence prevention, and action against emerging forms of violence, e.g. in cyberspace;
4. Is of the opinion that eradication of sexual harassment requires greater efforts from a range of actors, including the Member States, to improve the availability, quality and reliability of data, raise awareness, change attitudes, prevent such conduct, ensure better victim support and access to justice, and fully transpose and implement the relevant EU legislation;
5. Encourages the Member States to collect and provide quality data in order to realise the full potential of the fight against sexual harassment; calls on the Member States to ensure the collection of improved, comprehensive, comparable and specific data on sexual harassment; encourages enhanced cooperation with relevant institutions;
6. Calls on the Commission to establish a public database of relevant legislation and case law regarding equal treatment between women and men as a means of raising awareness of the application of the legal provisions in this field;
7. Encourages the Member States to consider modifying the provisions of their law to ensure that employees who are forced to sign non-disclosure agreements as part of a settlement cannot be bound to withhold the reporting of sexual harassment or abuse as part of the agreement;
8. Strongly supports all victims of sexual harassment and abuse within the European institutions in disciplinary procedures and/or investigations by the local police;
9. Calls on the Member States to enhance the protection of employees from sexual harassment and abuse by striving for an improved balance between male and female employment inspectors, training inspectors to be vigilant in identifying sexual harassment, and setting up a 24-hour hotline to receive reports of suspected sexual harassment;
10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments of the Member States.