To refuse to be a witness against colleague??

Groping is groping. The same as stealing is stealing. The same as rape is rape.

The moment you start introducing caveats to sexual assault is the moment women suffer too. Dont assume that minimising sexual assault on a man wont affect women as victims too. Women already have caveats put on them for wearing "revealing clothing". Making excuses for women doing it doesnt level the playing field, all it does is allow sexual predators to use more and more excuses

Yabvu. She did something very very wrong and if she was a man flashing at and groping female colleagues genitals you'd not think twice about telling the truth as it's the right thing to do, same applies here. Alcohol is no excuse and whilst I accept she may have not behaved that way had she not been drunk she and she alone is responsible for how much she had to drink and she should have stuck to her limit as I'm sure nobody funneled it down her throat and she and she alone is responsible for her actions and needs to be held accountable and she needs to accept her consequences.

Are you being serious?

So sexual assault only works one way?

They could be.

Vicarious is the legal terminology.

Drinking very much encouraged.
Eugh.....in a professional environment? I cannot ever imagine being a manager and encouraging my staff to drink.

The company got her poleaxed.
Do you really believe that?

Being asked to say what you witnessed isn't being a snitch, that's a very immature way to view the situation.

Well, yes, obviously. That's why I said could, not would.

But women are easily intimidated (with good reason!) by males who are historically dangerous to women.

It's not the same.

Unless you felt it would leave your job in jeopardy, I wouldn't say anything OP.I'd just tell them you do not want to be involved.

And before anyone jumps to conclusions, I am careful at work dos and haven't ever got drunk or done anything at all wrong at them.

If a man had grabbed at a woman like this, it would have been a disciplinary. I honestly don’t think a woman should get away with it either.

What industry do you work in? In my line of work, being caught lying in an investigation would be risking not just a sacking from my current position but also risking my professional registration.

Morally you should confirm what you witnessed, personally, you should also confirm it to save your own skin. If you refuse to participate or don't tell the truth your card is marked. Don't rely on colleagues saying they're not getting involved or won't grass, they will, and anyone with an ounce of cop on will keep themselves clean.

No, that is outrageous and completely unacceptable behaviour. Imagine yourself on the receiving end of sexual harrassment in the workplace. Or as an event attended on behalf of that workplace. Would you want your colleagues to turn a blind eye, and for the PRF to conclude that your word isn't to be trusted? This would be devastating, and it's a workplace occurrence that happens far too frequently.

Be a good colleague, OP. You should stand witness to what you saw. This isn't 'snitching'. It's a moral obligation.

So you'd cover for a male colleague who'd grabbed a woman and flashed another one because "he's a nice guy" ?

They also wouldn't have to be. Case law supports more scenarios.

THIS. She grabbed a man's testicles - if a man had grabbed a woman's vagina you wouldnt be saying its fine! no biggie- he was merry FGS!

Your colleague might be lovely when sober but when she is drunk she is a piece of shit.

The company are not responsible for their employees behaviour - regardless of whether there was a free bar or not.
If one them had got drunk, then got in a car and caused an accident would that be the company's fault as well ?

Companies the world over have free bars at social and networking events. They aren’t held responsible if employees assault other employees (or brawl in the street, or go home and beat their wives) because they had too much to drink. A formal complaint could be made to the venue if bar and waiting staff were continuing to serve people who were clearly intoxicated - and if OP saw that happening, she can state that in her meeting; but the employer won’t be found “vicariously” responsible because they hosted an open bar.

You not snitching on her. You company simply want people to confirm (or deny) what she is being accused off. If a man flashed his bits at someone would you be willing to report the situation?

Just snitch on her. Say what you saw. She may be lovely and may have made a mistake but mistakes can be costly. Perhaps this will teach her not to drink so much!?

People, we don't need to go to switching genders.
Simply "if your husband was harrased/assault by woman at work, would you be happy for it to be swept under carpet because" she lovely tho""?

That may be your opinion, but legally the company could absolutely be found to be vicariously responsible if it were to go to tribunal.

This. I used to work in the legal industry where free bars were commonplace at work events, Christmas parties etc.

Everyone used to drink A LOT and not once did I see or hear of anyone flashing or grabbing someone else's genitals.

What a disgusting attitude, your colleague sexually assaulted two people. I hope she's massively ashamed and ready to face the consequences of her actions.

They may know this, and be keen to throw the blame entirely on Jenny.

The blame lies with Jenny. I managed to drink for devades and I am not 1 tipple person, without flashing people and grabbing genitals

You only need to say what you saw, that she flashed her bra (which is a bit different to naked breasts). Absolutely no need to comment on things you heard from others, in fact it would be wrong to do so. Short and factual.

In lots of workplace complaint situations I can see why people don't want to get involved but I think where there is any form of harassment, assault or discrimination/bullying , those should be the exceptions.

I was at a work party where some members of staff drunkenly exposed themselves on the dance floor (both male and female and I'm not talking a flash of bra either) and a senior female member of staff propositioned some young male members of staff, then passed out and her husband had to come and collect her. Those involved were given a stern warning but it didn't go further.

Actually assaulting someone, sexually or otherwise, is much more serious but you can't comment on what you didn't see.

Unbelievable, that is hypocrisy at it's finest.

Maybe not. Probably not. Depends.