Sexual harassment in the workplace will be addressed at a women’s forum next week.

Tinee Furbert, one of the founders of the Bermuda’s Working Women Institute, said the event will “provide guiding information” about sexual harassment and assault and the forms that it takes.

Ms Furbert said the problem of work-based harassment has been “around for years”.

The Progressive Labour Party MP added: “We are sure there are many more cases than reported.”

She said many do not report sexual harassment in the workplace because they are not clear about what constitutes a violation.

Ms Furbert added: “People may inquire about sexual harassment anonymously but won’t pursue it with a report.

“People will bear through a situation or end up leaving the workplace for fear of reprisal.”

Ms Furbert said the event was designed to highlight services available for those who experience sexual harassment.

She added it would also encourage employers to have clear policies around sexual harassment and abuse and promote “safe processes for employees to bring forward complaints and have those complaints addressed”.

Patrice Frith Hayward and Tina Laws will speak at the event.

Ms Hayward runs the Women’s VIP Network, and is a former executive director of the Women’s Resource Centre.

Ms Laws is the founder of Under Konstruction, which provides support to domestic assault survivors and has been a facilitator with SCARS since 2013.

The BWWI was founded in 2013 by Ms Furbert and Simone Smith Bean. The organisation puts on three to four forums a year addressing women’s issues both in and out of the workplace.

The event will be held on Thursday, November 30 at O’Hara House in Hamilton’s Bermudiana Road starting at 6.30pm.

For more information or to attend email bdaworkingwomen@gmail.com by November 24.