WOMEN trade union members gathered at the TUC women’s conference in London today to discuss tackling and preventing sexual harassment in the movement.

The debate follows reports of sexual misconduct within trade unions.

TUC women’s committee chairwoman Annette Mansell-Green said the meeting was “our safe space within the movement.”

She said: “Every space within the movement should be a safe one for everybody.

“There is no place for sexual harassment, victimisation and unfair treatment within our movement.”

Ms Mansell-Green highlighted the bravery of affiliated members who have been “taking a deep dive into the culture of their union by surveying their members and then quickly lifting the stones.”

She said that the majority of the trade union movement are women, but more were needed in leadership positions to “change the culture.”

“We must feel confident that we can make reports to our leadership teams without fear of victimisation or suggestions of allegations or threats,” she said.

“Dismissal of those complaints and issues is totally unacceptable.”

LGBT committee chairwoman Maria Exall gave examples of actions and commitments made in her union, the CWU, to actively oppose sexual harassment.

This includes, she said, publications and mandatory training as well as a new complaints procedure.

Michelle Codrington-Rogers of teaching union NASUWT highlighted how black women are often left behind in the women’s movement, saying: “Our context is complex.”

She said advisory groups are needed to make sure black women’s voices are heard amid a lack of research on their experiences.

Sue Ferns of Prospect paid tribute to the women who had been “brave enough to step forward and report their experiences.”

“We know sexual harassment and violence is about exercising power,” she said.

“So we need powerful men as well as powerful women to be on our side.”