Survey on Sexual Misconduct at Work (SSMW)

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Have you been invited to participate in this survey via email or mail? To log in to the survey, complete the following steps.

Step 1: Visit the electronic questionnaire portal and select Start my survey.

Step 2: Enter your secure access code (you will find this code in the invitation letter or email you previously received from Statistics Canada).

Step 3: Complete the survey.

Are you missing your secure access code, or do you need help?

Phone:

1-877-949-9492
(TTY: 1-800-363-7629)
Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Eastern time

If you use an operator-assisted relay service, you can call us during regular business hours. You do not need to authorize the operator to contact us.

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The goal of the Survey on Sexual Misconduct at Work is to obtain an accurate picture of the nature, extent, and frequency of inappropriate sexual behaviours that occur in a work-related setting.

Information from this survey will be used to help design programs that prevent and respond to these behaviours.

Even if you have not personally experienced inappropriate sexual behaviours in the workplace, your participation in this survey will ensure that the information we collect is as accurate and reliable as possible.

Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

Collection period:

From January 24 to June 30, 2020

Collection method:

Electronic questionnaire with telephone interview follow-up

Survey participation:

Voluntary

  • Block Information Confidentiality

    Confidentiality

    Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.

  • Block Information on Record linkage

    Record linkage

    To enhance the data from this survey and reduce response burden, Statistics Canada may combine the information you provide with data from other surveys or administrative sources.

  • Block Information on Topics covered in the survey

    Topics covered in the survey

    The survey asks questions about

    • labour market activities
    • inappropriate sexual behaviours seen, heard or personally experienced
    • sexual victimization personally experienced
    • characteristics, impact and reporting of inappropriate sexual behaviours and sexual victimization personally experienced
    • perceptions of workplace culture.
  • Block Information on Published data

    Published data

    Statistics Canada publishes the results of its surveys in many formats. To find all the documents related to this survey, follow the links below and type the name of the survey in the search engine located at the left of your screen to filter the results.

    Data: You will find tables, profiles of a community or region, thematic maps, public use microdata files, and data visualization tools.

    Analysis: You will have direct access to Stats in brief (e.g., releases from The Daily, fact sheets), articles and reports, and journals and periodicals.

  • Block Information Survey-specific questions

    Survey-specific questions

    What is the Survey on Sexual Misconduct at Work (SSMW)?

    The SSMW is sponsored by Women and Gender Equality Canada as part of the federal government's Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

    The SSMW will fill data gaps about the nature, extent and impact of inappropriate sexual behaviours in work-related settings in Canada.

    Data from the SSMW will provide Canadian governments and workplaces an accurate picture of the nature, extent and impact of:

    • inappropriate sexual behaviours
    • discriminatory behaviours based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity
    • sexual victimization within Canadian work-related settings.

    Why is data from this survey important?

    Data from the SSMW will be used to inform the government's Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, as well as assist with program and policy decisions, and research of all kinds in the field of gender-based violence.

    Data from the SSMW will help Canadian governments and workplaces to:

    • inform workplace codes of conduct, as well as other policies, laws, and programs designed to prevent and respond to inappropriate sexual behaviour, discriminatory behaviour and sexual victimization in the workplace
    • measure the effectiveness of existing support services in the workplace
    • evaluate people's perceptions of their workplaces.

    What is gender-based violence (GBV)?

    Many people across the country continue to face violence every day simply because of their gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender. This is gender-based violence (GBV). This kind of violence can take many forms: cyber, physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, and economic. Neglect and harassment are also forms of GBV.

    What is the Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence (GBV)?

    It's Time: Canada's Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence is the Government of Canada's response to gender-based violence (GBV). It builds on current federal initiatives, coordinates existing programs and lays the foundation for greater action on GBV. The strategy is based on three pillars that will improve Canada's overall response to GBV:

    • prevention
    • support for survivors and their families
    • promotion of responsive legal and justice systems.

    How was the SSMW developed?

    The survey was developed in consultation with Women and Gender Equality Canada and a variety of other stakeholders, including other government departments, academics, not-for-profit organizations, and advocacy groups. Key data needs were identified, and content from other surveys such as the General Social Survey, the Survey on Individual Safety in the Postsecondary Student Population, the Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces, and the Survey on Personal

    Safety in Public and Private Spaces were adapted for use in the SSMW. Where applicable, new content was developed, reviewed by stakeholders, and then tested in one-on-one qualitative interviews with people living in Canada.

    How is the SSMW being conducted and who is participating?

    Statistics Canada is responsible for conducting the SSMW from January to June 2020.

    Approximately 50,000 people, aged 15 years and over who have been in the workforce, will be invited to participate in the survey. Households have been randomly selected across all provinces.

    Those selected will be mailed an invitation to complete an online questionnaire.

    Feedback from all selected participants matters, even if some have not experienced inappropriate sexual behaviours, or are no longer working. High participation rates ensure that the information collected is as accurate and reliable as possible.

    What kinds of questions will be asked on the SSMW?

    Questions will be asked about:

    • inappropriate sexual behaviours and discriminatory behaviours based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity that are witnessed or experienced in a work-related setting
    • sexual victimization experienced in a work-related setting
    • perceptions people have about their workplace
    • demographic characteristics such as age, sex, marital status and gender, disability status.

    Why are there some questions that seem unrelated to the topic of the SSMW?

    (Egs: income, place of birth, immigration and citizenship, ethnic ancestry, indigenous background, sex/gender and sexual orientation).

    This information is used to explore a wide variety of demographic and socio-economic issues. It helps to determine if some groups of people are targeted, or more vulnerable to inappropriate sexual behaviours.

    How does Statistics Canada protect survey participants' information and guarantee confidentiality?

    Under the Statistics Act, all information provided to Statistics Canada will be kept confidential and used only for statistical purposes. We do not release any information that could identify individuals, businesses, or households. All personal information such as names and addresses will be separated from survey answers.

    When will data from the SSMW be available?

    Results from the SSMW will be available in February 2021. An analytical report and an article in the Daily, Statistics Canada's official release bulletin, will be accessible on www.statcan.gc.ca.

  • Block Information on Brochure

    Brochure
     

    Survey on Sexual Misconduct at Work

    Help to prevent and address sexual misconduct at work

    A safe workplace for all

    Did you know that there is a link between harassment and stress, mental health and outlook on life?

    High quality, timely and relevant data are key to developing informed policies that address and prevent this type of violence. That is why, as part of Canada's Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, Statistics Canada is gathering information on gender-based violence in various settings.

    The Survey on Sexual Misconduct at Work will help us understand the frequency and forms of inappropriate sexual behaviours and sexual victimization witnessed and experienced by workers.

    Why participate?

    Every answer counts. Even if you have not witnessed or experienced inappropriate sexual behaviours, or are no longer in the workforce, your responses are still important because they will help us account for many different perspectives. Your participation ensures the data we collect will accurately reflect the working population in Canada.

    The big picture

    Your input will help us better understand the prevalence and nature of harassment, victimization, and discrimination based on sex, gender identity or sexual orientation in work-related settings in Canada.

    The Survey on Sexual Misconduct at Work will help governments and employers in Canada develop prevention efforts and timely responses from the legal and justice systems.

    Topics covered in the survey

    • Inappropriate sexual behaviours and victimization witnessed or experienced in a work-related setting
    • The characteristics, impact and reporting of such experiences
    • Perceptions of workplace culture

    How to participate

    You will need a secure access code to participate in this survey online. You can find the website and access code in the letter you received with this brochure.

    For more information about the survey, please visit Survey on Sexual Misconduct at Work

    How the data will be used

    The answers you provide will help governments and employers to:

    • understand experiences of sexual harassment and victimization in workplaces in Canada;
    • inform workplace codes of conduct, laws, policies and strategies including Canada's Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence; and
    • measure the effectiveness of existing support services in workplaces in Canada.

    All information collected by Statistics Canada is strictly confidential and is protected by law under the Statistics Act. When survey data are released, your answers will be grouped with those from other participants. We won't release any information linking you to the data you provide.

    Your privacy is important to us

    Want to know more?

    Email: infostats@statcan.gc.ca

    Telephone: 1-877-949-9492

    Visit Statistics Canada's website at www.statcan.gc.ca/survey or follow us on social media.

    facebook.com/StatisticsCanada

    twitter.com/StatCan_eng

    youtube.com/StatisticsCanada

    Need support right now?

    Call the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime at 1-877-232-2610, send a text message to 613-208-0747 or visit www.crcvc.ca/for-victims/services.

  • For more information about this survey (questionnaires, definitions, data sources and methods used): survey number 5290
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