20% of U.K. Parliament workers have been sexually harassed or seen inappropriate behaviour, report finds

Nearly one in five people workingin Britain's Parliament wassexually harassed or witnessedinappropriate behaviour in the past year, according toa reportcommissioned after a series of sex scandals at Westminster.

The reportpublishedThursdayby a cross-party group callsfor a newcomplaints procedure along with radical change of a culture that can deter some from challenging bosses and suggested forms ofpunishment for those found guilty of harassing their staff.

"This is a big day for parliament and our politics," saidAndrea Leadsom, leader of the House of Commons lower house of Parliament. "The new independent procedure will demonstrate thatwe want to be the best parliament in the world when it comes totreating everyone who works here with dignity and respect.

"This is a major step in bringing about the culture changethat Parliament needs."

Last year, Parliament became one of several institutions tobecome embroiled in a sexual harassment scandal after abuseallegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein promptedwomen and men to share stories about improper behaviour.

Two ministers lost their posts while others in both thegoverning Conservatives and opposition Labour Party were investigated over allegations of inappropriate behaviour,prompting calls for an end to a "locker-room" culture.

The report released Thursday said 39 per cent of the 1,377 responses describedexperience of non-sexual harassment or bullying in the lastyear, while 19 per cent reported "experience of sexualharassment, including witnessing sexually inappropriate behaviour." Twice as many women than men said they experience the issues.