Statement from Peggy Sattler, Ontario NDP Women’s Issues Critic

Peggy Sattler, Ontario NDP Women’s Issues Critic, issued the following statement in response to today’s government announcement about sexual violence and harassment intervention training for hospitality sector workers.

“People should be able to go to a restaurant or bar, or work in one, and be safe from violence and harassment. New Democrats support strong and effective measures that will help change the social, political and economic structures that perpetuate sexual violence and harassment. To be effective, ‎the measures announced today will depend on the quality of the training that is developed, and who receives the training. 

Are the Liberals proposing voluntary or mandatory training? We know from experience with domestic violence in the workplace that voluntary training is rarely implemented by employers. Will the training be made available to all hospitality sector workers or will it be a limited offering? Will the training be provided on a recurring basis or is it ‘one-time only’? Will the training help stop harassment or violence before it begins – with a focus on those who are likely to be perpetrators – or is it purely reactive?

Today’s Liberal announcement left many questions unanswered.”