Guernsey must follow the UK in introducing legislation to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, according to a campaigner fighting violence against women and girls.

The Worker Protection Act comes into force in the UK on Saturday and is an amendment to the Equality Act.

It requires employers to take “reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of employees.”

Poppy Murray said: “It is encouraging that this legislation is coming into force, but if Guernsey does not follow suit then questions need to be asked.”

Ms Murray added: “Every organization I’ve worked with, whether it’s the private or public sector, there’s always someone, usually several people, who have had experiences of sexual harassment.”

Currently in Guernsey an employee can make a complaint of harassment under the Sex Discrimination (Employment) (Guernsey) Ordinance 2005.

For Guernsey people, the new UK law will mean that anyone on the island working with a UK employer will be protected.

States have been contacted for comment