Workplace sexual violence against temporary foreign workers in P.E.I. underreported, advocates say [Video]

Better protections are needed for temporary foreign workers facing sexual violence in the workplace, advocates say. 

Instances of sexual violence against workers often go unreported, said Sarah Dennis, program manager with the RISE Program, which provides free legal support for people who have experienced workplace sexual harassment. 

“There are many barriers in place for temporary foreign workers to come forward to disclose sexual violence,” Dennis said. 

“There’s language barriers, there is isolation when they’re working in rural communities, so limited access to resources, and then also the fear of deportation and losing their status.” 

A panel discussion in Charlottetown focused on the challenges temporary foreign workers deal with on the Island, especially the issue of sexual violence in the workplace. Many workers don’t report incidents out of fear that they may lose their status. CBC’s Connor Lamont has more.

The issue was the topic of a panel discussion on systemic …