ALT NSVRC National Sexual Violence Resource Center. A division of respect together.

ALT "Director's Viewpoint" Rounded rainbow rectangles in various hues bordering the text.

ALT "Prejudice and social stigma often cause the general population to shy away from the connection between disability, sexual health, and sexual harm. People with disabilities have historically been regarded as sexless, lacking in sexual autonomy or agency, or perpetually victimized. We felt that a discussion about sexual violence prevention for people with disabilities would be incomplete if it didn’t address this ableist line of thinking. Disabled people experience sexual desire and consensual sexual relationships, as well as sexual harm. To discuss one without the others is to deny the humanity of a large group of people: over one in four Americans has a disability."-Jennifer Grove, NSVRC COO" Rounded rainbow rectangles bordering text

ALT "the resource Disability: Understanding Ableism, Sexual Violence, and Healthy Sexuality" Rounded rectangles in all colors of the rainbow in a variety of hues bordering the text.

ALT "Gail Burns-Smith Award 2026 Innovators who Foster Community Healing Nominations Due: May 31, 2026" ATSA and NSVRC logos

ALT Workplace Safety & SAAM Part 4: Sexual Misconduct is an Environmental (Not An Individual) Issue

ALT Individuals are Emboldened By Systems All too often, people think of sexual assault as an unfortunate incident that happens between two individuals. In reality, sexual harassment and assault commonly occur within systems that do little to prevent it. Sexual harassment, misconduct, and abuse may occur between individuals yet it can impact, or be influenced by, the working environment. Workplaces, past and present, have been settings that people who commit abuse use to their advantage by leveraging power imbalances and the financial dependence of the victim. However, just because workplaces have been settings for violence in the past does not mean they cannot become protective, survivor-centered environments in the future.

ALT Everyone Can Help Create Safer Workplaces Workers need safe, healthy environments in order for local economies to grow and thrive, and we have seen how prioritizing safety has a ripple effect in every facet of a business financially, reputationally, and in overall productivity. At RALIANCE, we believe everyone has the capacity to change, and we look forward to partnering with any business interested in an ongoing, environmental transformation.

ALT Contact us to learn more! Are you a business looking for a partner to help in addressing workplace sexual misconduct policy? Please reach out to corporate@raliance.org so we can start that conversation!

ALT Workplace Safety & SAAM Part 3: Why Paying Attention to Sexual Misconduct is Cost-Saving

ALT The Bottom Line Impact Preventing workplace sexual misconduct is not just good policy, it's also a proactive, cost-saving measure for businesses. Studies show that from a financial perspective, when sexual misconduct happens, workplaces can expect: 1. Higher Staff Turnover 2. Loss of Productivity 3. Increased Legal Costs

ALT The Business again of Investing in Prevention Survivors of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault in the workplace are often burdened with costs related to physical and mental healthcare, legal fees, and potentially relocation, which, in turn impacts workplace performance and productivity. Employers must mitigate these risks by ensuring survivors are supported both when reporting and afterward, and by making clear that harmful behavior will be taken seriously and addressed. Doing so protects employees and strengthens the overall functionality and economic stability of the company.

ALT Safety is the Key to Progress and Growth Across Sectors Sexual misconduct is a subject many shy away from out of discomfort. Our perspective: discomfort isn’t a reason to look away, it’s a reason to pay attention. No industry, sector, or workplace is immune to sexual harassment, misconduct, and abuse, so the effects of it must be understood by every business.

ALT Workplace Safety & SAAM Part 2: Are You Missing Critical Insights on Sexual Misconduct?

ALT Why RALIANCE Has the Expertise to Help Advocates and activists have spent decades working with and studying survivors, their needs, and the many unique risk factors that increase their vulnerability to sexual misconduct. RALIANCE’s strength is that it serves as a singular organization bridging the gap between the field and the corporate sector. Our staff has combined experience of decades in the field, which makes us uniquely positioned to collaborate with clients and determine: 1. The risk factors prevalent in their current work environments 2. The gaps in existing sexual misconduct reporting policy 3. The opportunities for further collaboration to make a safer workplace culture

ALT The Ongoing Fight Against Sexual Misconduct It is an ongoing process to combat workplace sexual misconduct. We're available to work with any client interested in further insight to the underlying factors behind this harm and how to move forward in a way that makes a workplace where everyone feels safe and respected.

ALT Contact Us to Learn More! Are you a business looking for a partner to help in addressing workplace sexual misconduct policy? Please reach out to corporate@raliance.org so we can start that conversation!

ALT Workplace Safety & SAAM Part 1: How Categorization Helps Innovate Bold Safety Strategies

ALT The Issue Sexual misconduct can manifest in a wide range of behaviors, and staff receiving these reports may not know how to capture incidents that might not technically violate existing company policies, but do cause distress to the victim. We also know that these behaviors can intersect with race, disability, and sexuality, which requires a more thorough understanding and sensitivity about that interaction.

ALT The Business Case for Categorization RALIANCE developed a taxonomy to categorize sexual harassment, misconduct, and abuse. This tool helps measure sexual violence incidents and use that data to better understand the scope of the problem and identify specific goals to promote safety and prevent future harm. Collaborating with RALIANCE and implementing our taxonomy is a foundational first step to validating survivor experiences and accurately recording workplace harms. When sexual harm is fully understood, businesses are better positioned to implement policies that prevent this harm from being replicated.

ALT Contact Us to Learn More! Are you a business looking for a partner to help in addressing workplace sexual misconduct policy? Please reach out to corporate@raliance.org so we can start that conversation!

ALT 25 years of SAAM. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. NSVRC. A young adult standing with their arms crossed.