Seamus:  Yeah. I mean, I think that it's the same as really going through any kind of disciplinary process or grievance process with an alleged perpetrator. They need to be supported equally as well.  

I mean, you think about the likes of suspension letters that go out to employees that say, "You're not to contact any of your colleagues. You're not to attend the premises", that could be all quite isolating.  

And I think that's where, really, we've noticed the increase for these sorts of ancillary services that are in place and that you can make referrals to, or you can advise employees as to where they can get assistance, sometimes even if it's just to talk to somebody about what has happened.  

There definitely does need to be protections put in place, particularly for the active bystander who might be fearful of reprisal.

And thinking more so outside of the office-type role, but maybe in a factory where there's a large number of people, there maybe are fractions within the organisation already, and you would be concerned about reprisal and fear and events taking place outside of work where there's retaliation and things like that as well.  

I think you need to know your organisation and you need to act appropriately and in accordance with that, or you'll end up with a claim lodged by the active bystander then as well, which is going to be further problematic and further hassle with it all.  

So, yeah, I think the key has to be that you're not going to prejudge any situation either. If there are suspensions, they are precautionary. You're not going to find somebody guilty of an offence before you've completed a fair and rigorous investigation. It's important that you do sort of maintain your position until you're at a point that there's going to be an outcome issued.

And again, I don't ever think it's a good idea just to simply send an outcome in a letter to somebody. I think you bring the person in, and you speak to them face-to-face, and you explain the position. Not always easy to do, but it is the best way in order to do it, and it protects you as well in case something does go awry down the line.

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