JEDDAH: A sexual harassment law is being drafted by the Shoura Council and the Ministry of Labor, according to yesterday’s Al-Madinah newspaper. The draft law suggests a SR50,000 fine and a prison sentence of up to three years to people found guilty of sexually harassing women subordinates.

The law aims at reducing incidence of harassment in workplaces with women’s sections, such as hospitals and advertising agencies.

According to the Al-Madinah report, legal experts have analyzed sexual harassment laws in Europe, the US and in some Muslim countries before preparing the draft. The new law will label sexual harassment a crime against honor that will entail a minimum of one year in prison and a SR20,000 fine.

The proposal explicitly states that sexual harassment does not mean just physical contact, but may also take place over the phone or through physical gestures or speech even if no physical contact takes place.

Actions that may constitute sexual harassment include hanging lewd pictures in the office and provocative comments or jokes. The law also states that any attempts for out-of-office meet-ups or offers of rides after the woman has declined can be considered harassment. Using managerial power to require women employees to stay longer at the office under the pretext of requiring her to work overtime will also be considered a sexual harassment crime against honor.

Shoura Council member Mazin Balilah told the newspaper that most sexual harassment cases go undetected because of the unwillingness of women to report them.

Saudi Arabia currently has no explicitly stated sexual harassment laws beyond those enforced in public places by the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. There are some protections for women working for the government, but these do not apply to the private sector.

Dr. Samar Al-Saggaf, a member of the Family Security Program in Jeddah, said awareness should be spread among women not to shy away from reporting harassment out of fear of society’s reaction. She also stressed that women should not simply quit their jobs because of harassment, but rather stand their ground and fight for their personal rights.