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The Complaints and Internal Investigations Branch (C&IIB) will introduce a series of new initiatives in the third quarter of 2023 so that investigation on sexual harassment complaint cases can be completed more independently, impartially and efficiently to relieve the investigation pressure of the frontline officers and render more professional and dedicated assistance to the officers in need at the same time.
The first initiative is the launch of the C&IIB Helpline, a confidential and direct channel for officers to lodge real-named sexual harassment complaints or to seek related advice from C&IIB. The second initiative is enhancement of the existing mechanism for handling sexual harassment complaints. C&IIB will evaluate all sexual harassment complaints in a unified manner, and will mainly take over the investigation of sexual harassment cases handled by “Investigation”. At the same time, relevant Police General Orders and Force Procedures Manuals will also be revamped to set out the guiding principles in handling sexual harassment complaints and to emphasise on the disciplinary consequences of turning a blind eye to sexual harassment or exerting victimisation against the complainants and witnesses.
To enhance the professionalism of officers in handling sexual harassment complaints, C&IIB invited the Equal Opportunities Commission to organise a Sexual Harassment Complaints Handling Workshop on June 19 and 20. Through cases sharing, group discussion and role-play sessions, C&IIB officers and Formation representatives gained more understanding on how to communicate with sexual harassment victims, how to prevent victimisation and how to avoid common mistakes committed by previous investigating officers. C&IIB will keep organising similar workshops for more Formation representatives to join.
The Force has been dedicated to upholding a more harmonious and positive working environment and it is the responsibility of every officer to prevent, discourage and report incidents of inappropriate behaviour. With the new initiatives, C&IIB hopes that officers in need can have a reassured channel to seek assistance whilst all officers can actively intervene and report acts of sexual harassment for all of us to foster a workplace with mutual respect.
