uk law says...
Preventing sexual harassment at work is a legal duty
As of October 2024, UK law requires all employers to take proactive, reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. It is a positive step forward to ensure people feel safer when working, but it is more than a legal duty. It's in every business's interest to create safer, fairer spaces where people can thrive.
At Blacklarke, we specialise in interactive, anti-harassment training designed to meet the demands of the new law as well as the realities of modern work environments.
Read on to learn about our solution.
prevention beats paying
The law has changed. Here’s what it means
Under the Worker Protection Act 2023, an amendment to the Equality Act 2010, UK employers now have a legal duty to prevent sexual harassment, not just respond after the fact.
From October 2024:
- Employers must take “reasonable steps” to prevent harassment
- This includes freelancers, contractors, and temporary staff
- Failing to act can result in unlimited compensation claims
- A 25% uplift may be applied to any award where prevention steps weren’t taken
A recent BBC survey revealed:
Sexual Harassment in Numbers
- 37% have experienced sexual harassment at work or in education
- 20% of men and 53% of women have been harassed at work
- 18-34-year-olds are most likely to experience harassment
- Men are more often harassed by peers; women by senior managers
- 67% of victims have never reported it

our bespoke solution
Introducing the #NotAgain Project by Blacklarke
Our flagship course, The #NotAgain Project, is a bold and practical response to the current legal and cultural landscape. Delivered by experienced HR specialists, our 90 minute training sessions are:
- Highly interactive - not passive or pre-recorded
- Built for group participation - encouraging discussion, reflection, and shared understanding
- Suitable for all industries - and can be tailored for more niche clients (e.g. creative industries, theatre and production settings) including rehearsal rooms, backstage dynamics, and creative power structures
- Generally delivered in-person but also available as a remote solution
- While larger businesses may still require a software solution for large, churning workforces, in-person training is still recommended for Senior Leadership Teams to help understand the nuance of the law and to ensure that the training embeds itself in culture and doesn't get forgotten over time.
Each 90 minute session helps participants understand the law, recognise harmful behaviours, and build confidence to act when something’s not right. Sessions are capped at a maximum of 20 participants to ensure a bespoke and personal experience with excellent conversation and interaction.
Our facilitators engage the group in real-time, adapting as needed to ensure everyone stays involved and supported. You won’t have to endure dry lectures or PowerPoint fatigue.
What the Training Covers
Understanding the law & employer duties
We break down the Worker Protection Act 2023 in clear terms:
- What does “reasonable steps” mean?
- Who is protected?
- What are the risks of inaction?
This section ensures both leadership and workers understand what’s at stake and what is expected.
Recognising harassment
We explore the full spectrum of potential inappropriate behaviours:
- From comments and banter to coercion and assault
- “Grey areas”: off-site scenarios, shared spaces, relationships at work
- Real-life anonymised case studies
Bystander skills and intervention
Participants learn safe, practical tools for:
- Spotting red flags
- Interrupting unacceptable behaviour
- Supporting those affected
- Knowing when and how to report
This is where we move from awareness to individual and collective responsibility.
Reporting, retaliation and leadership
We help employers and managers create:
- Safe, confidential routes for raising concerns
- Protection from retaliation
- A clear, consistent follow-up process
- The kind of leadership that sets the tone for inclusion and safety
HR consultancy services
HR support that goes beyond the training room
Training is just the start. We also offer:
- Policy reviews and development
- Risk assessments for productions
- Confidential HR consultation
- Help to embed long-term culture change in your organisation
We’re here to help you build systems and cultures that protect people and your reputation.

Book a Consultation Today
Because everyone deserves to be safe at work
Whether you’re a theatre & entertainment company, a tech start-up, a small creative studio or a large corporate, the law applies to you. Let us help you meet your obligations and build a safer, more inclusive workplace.
Don’t wait for something to go wrong. Be the company that takes action, leads with integrity, and puts safety centre stage.
Let’s call time on sexual harassment.
Let’s say #NotAgain - and mean it.


just one of our areas of specialism
Why theatre, performing arts and creative industries are particularly at risk
The new law applies across all sectors, but in industries like theatre, film, and music, where short contracts and blurred boundaries are common, the stakes are even higher.
Performing or working in the arts is not a desk job. It’s physical, emotional and, often, intimate. It is typically fast-paced and freelance-led. The lack of structures and procedures can create environments where people can feel vulnerable.
The facts are alarming…
- 92% of theatre professionals have witnessed or experienced harassment
- 60% working in TV and film have experienced inappropriate physical contact
- 85% have experienced or witnessed sexual harassment
- 20% of respondents experiencing a serious sexual assault at work
Source: 2024 Bectu Union survey of workers in the UK Theatre, TV and film industries
Many stay silent for fear of losing work or being blacklisted. It has to change. Real change starts with training that reflects the reality of the industry.