How would you expect your manager to deal with this?

[Youmakemyheartgogiddyup]

Recently a colleague of mine was, what I can only describe as sexually assaulted at work by another colleague.
After about 2 days she plucked up the courage to tell the manager after being scared of him not believing her.
He then proceeded to call the person she accused into the room with her and got her to relay again what had happened in front of the accused, at this point she was in tears.
The manager then asked her whether he should sack the accused but reassured her that if she didn't get them sacked then she would never have to work with that person again.
The accused was suspended for a day and the manager called the victim up and told her that he believed she had led the accused on. Manager then brought accused back in for a meeting and the victim was asked to attend as well, after she refused as she was scared and felt uncomfortable the manager said that he would get the accused to text her as he had something to say to her 🙄
Accused has then been, we assume, sacked as no trace of his name on work system but manager has not asked victim if she's ok, informed her on what's happened in regards to the accused and has been what she deems "giving her the shit jobs to do".
We know he hasn't created any kind of incident report so has probably not informed anyone above him.
Sorry this is so long, this is bothering me and I would have assumed this should have got taken higher and she been offered support. I have so many issues with this I don't know where to start.
Any managers on here with a simple framework of how they would deal with this?
Thinking of lodging a complaint higher myself but not sure where to go.

[LIZS]

She needs to lodge a grievance with hr and perhaps consider reporting to police.

[Livy178]

This is absolutely shocking behaviour from a manager . I would be reporting to HR

[VimFuego101]

I would definitely escalate to HR. I'm sure they'd be horrified at the possible legal issue that the manager telling her she 'led the accuser on' has created for the company.

[Youmakemyheartgogiddyup]

She wasn't too keen on involving the police and I didn't want to push it. I am thinking of HR myself, she isn't happy with how this has been dealt with and was considering taking it higher but is worried about losing her job.

[Mylittlepony374]

I manage a team. If this was reported to me I'd be encouraging the woman to notify police and seeking advice from HR about further action. She should report this higher. If she loses her job because of it she would have legal recourse.

[ConnieCaterpillar70]

That's absolutely horrific.

She needs to go higher.

[Red2017]

The way the manager has handled this is absolutely appalling. Everything should have been documented and the accused should not have been called into the same room as the victim. Names should not be mentioned and the accused suspended whilst an investigation is ongoing due to the seriousness of offense. She should have been encouraged to contact the police and the manager should have taken advice from HR for the correct procedure.

[LakieLady]

Is there a sexual harassment policy/procedure in force? If so, that should spell out what ought to be happening. My employer's policy is suspension of the allaged perpetrator pending investigation and outcome, and the option of special leave on full pay for the complainant should they wish to take it.

But making the woman repeat what happened in the presence of the perpetrator is just appalling.

[MrsRockAndRoll]

This is appalling. Does she feel able to raise a grievance?

[Chimboo]

I’m so sorry to read this. HR and (if you have this in your company) whoever is responsible for ethics/compliance should be involved - and should bend over backwards to put this right. It would be retaliation to fire her after she has spoken up about sexual assault.

[drpet49]

Why didn’t she report this to the police?

[LadyFlossieParkingson]

Oh gosh how awful
I am a manager and i would have- had a calm quiet chat with the victim get their side of things
Alert hr with victim in my office so they didnt need to head back out to face colleague
Get hr advice which would probably be informal initial meeting with accused with hr present
Start an investigation

If necessary which it probably would be- suspend accused whilst conducting investigation

[SamMil]

This should have been formally investigated (following policy with support from HR). They would have suspended the alleged perpetrator pending investigation and then interviewed each party separately, including any witnesses. Interviews would have been conducted separately and by an independent manager. The victim should have been offered support and been kept updated about the case as it proceeded.

I would encourage her to contact HR herself and potentially lodge a formal grievance. They will then have a process to follow and she will be informed of the outcome.

[memost]

@drpet49

Why didn’t she report this to the police?

You really have to ask this question! FFS!