Contacting the police

Sexual harassment can, at its most serious, be a criminal as well as an employment matter, for example, when a sexual assault takes place.

Such incidents should be reported to the police. Conciliation service Acas advises that if a complaint is reported to the police, or criminal court proceedings are being pursued, an employer must still investigate the complaint as an employment matter. “An employer may then follow its disciplinary procedure, without awaiting the outcome of criminal proceedings, provided this can be done fairly,” the Acas guidance states.