Safe Spaces & Workplaces - Committed to ending sexual harassment in Hawaii's workplaces

There is no place for sexual harassment in the workplace or anywhere.

Beth Whitehead
Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer,
American Savings Bank

Beth Whitehead believes everyone deserves a great employee experience. At American Savings Bank, she works hard to create a workplace culture where employees feel respected and safe.
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Establish a culture from the top that such behavior will not be tolerated...research says this will permeate throughout the organization.

Michael Broderick
President and CEO,
YMCA of Honolulu

Data is important: The Safe Spaces & Workplaces survey is the first that assesses the prevalence of workplace sexual harassment in the state of Hawai‘i.
View Survey Results
Hawaii Dental Service believes in nurturing a safe environment where our employees can feel happy, supported, and confident in their roles and professional relationships without fear of harassment at any level, for any reason.

Mark Yamakawa
Hawaii Dental Service, President and Chief Executive Officer

View our growing list of Founding Champions who are joining the Safe Spaces & Workplaces Initiative.
View Champions
Everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed at work, and you can’t grow and succeed if you aren’t in a safe environment.

Ben Godsey
President and CEO,
ProService Hawaii

Looking for resources to support employers or victims of workplace sexual harassment? We compiled a list of important resources for you.
View Resources

Welcome to Safe Spaces & Workplaces

A recent survey of Hawai‘i adults, commissioned by Safe Spaces & Workplaces, showed half (49%) of respondents—both female and male—have experienced workplace sexual harassment while working in Hawai‘i.

Sexual Harassment in Hawai‘i

For many in our islands, hearing "sexual harassment" is a painful reminder of humiliation—often endured in silence because they don’t want to make waves.

People may be seen as being too sensitive because they can't take a joke. Still, others may see sexual harassment as a strictly legal issue likely to result in costly litigation.

Whatever your feelings and thoughts may be, you’ve come to the right place. Here you can share your stories and questions about workplace sexual harassment. This is a place of learning.

49%

of survey respondents were sexually harassed while working in Hawai‘i

Workplace Sexual Harassment in Hawai‘i

Sexual harassment in our Aloha State is a real problem. A new survey of Hawai‘i employees has found:

52%

of women surveyed were sexually harassed at work in Hawai‘i

42%

of men surveyed were sexually harassed at work in Hawai‘i

25-35 y.o.

Younger workers, 25 through 35 years old, are particularly vulnerable

Everywhere

Sexual harassment happens in different workplace settings

View Survey Findings

Breaking the Silence

Most people who are sexually harassed at work in Hawai‘i do not report it.

Safe Spaces & Workplaces is committed to helping employers and employees change the way we think about and respond to workplace sexual harassment.

Read stories of local employers who speak up about workplace sexual harassment and who are taking a stand against it.

18%

of Hawai‘i's employees report their experience of sexual harassment to Human Resources.

Share Your Thoughts

She kept silent about the situation and instead called in sick for a week. Only when her supervisor called to check on her did her story slowly emerge.

— Guest Services Manager, O‘ahu hotel

(Harassment is) less about sex and more about power, while the most important aspect is if women are treated equally.

— Michael Broderick, President and CEO, YMCA Honolulu

Read Employer Stories

Resources

Looking for resources for employers or targets of workplace sexual harassment? We compiled a list of important resources for you.

View Resources

There is no place for sexual harassment in the workplace or anywhere.

Establish a culture from the top that such behavior will not be tolerated...research says this will permeate throughout the organization.

Hawaii Dental Service believes in nurturing a safe environment ﻿where our employees can feel happy, supported, and confident in their ﻿roles and professional relationships without fear of harassment at any ﻿level, for any reason.

Everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed at work, and you can’t grow and succeed if you aren’t in a safe environment.