Claims female staff harassed at Jamberoo Action Park’s Islamic men-only event

Female staff were told to cover up for an Islamic men’s event at Jamberoo Action park, with male staff also following suit. But claims some staff were harassed has sparked an investigation.

Investigations are under way following claims female staff at a popular water park were harassed by Islamic men at a men-only “Brothers Day Out” event.

The Sunni Muslim group ASWJ, the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah Association of Australia, had booked out the entire water park on the NSW South Coast on Monday to cater for an estimated 800 men and boys, with staff directed to cover up and wear “long tights”.

But some female staff were the subject of “vile” slurs, the Illawarra Mercury reported, including being called “bitch” and “slut” by a group of the visitors.

A female staff member went home distressed at the treatment, after being told “you shouldn’t be here”, the paper reported.

Jamberoo management have now launched an investigation after “derogatory and degrading treatment” was reported.

Earlier, female staff were directed to wear long sleeves and tights under their normal yellow and red uniforms, which included shorts, after an initial request that no women work on the day.

A flyer for the "Brothers Day Out" event.

However it was reported that all staff, both men and women, wore tights and long sleeves for the booking.

In a statement to The Daily Telegraph, Jamberoo management would not disclose any more details of the incident.

Staff in their normal uniform at a previous event at Jamberoo Action Park.

“We should add that we have been hosting this group successfully for four years,” a management spokesman said.

“On this occasion they were generally well behaved and it was a small group of boys who were disrespectful.

“This can happen with other groups where we experience respectful behaviour from most of the group and a few bad apples behave inappropriately.”

The management spokesman said the park was occasionally booked out by special groups, who have their own “operational requirements”.

“For the private booking this Monday, all ride and attraction operators confirmed for roster were required to wear sun-safe clothing, regardless of sex, as has been the case in previous bookings. This clothing was helpfully provided by the booking manager.”

Staff in their normal uniform at a previous event at Jamberoo Action Park.

Asked what the park was doing for the safety and wellbeing of its female staff, a spokesman for the park stated: “Staff are encouraged to discuss their experiences and feelings with management and these conversations are always held in strict confidence and followed up in the most appropriate way.”

The ASWJ operates several centres in Auburn, Belmore, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Revesby and Wollongong.

It has been approached for comment.

It had billed its day as “Strictly Brothers Only, Excluscive (sic) Park Hire” and “for men and boys only”.

The ASWJ told Fairfax papers they were “currently investigating the complaints made against our patrons at Jamberoo Recreation Park”.

“Over the past four years, we have successfully collaborated with park management to ensure a positive experience for all attendees,” a spokesman said.

“While incidents involving a small minority can occur in large gatherings, we want to assure you that we have strict agreements with park officials to promptly address any misconduct and enforce park rules.”

“Additionally, in our initial discussions with Jamberoo management, efforts were made to accommodate our guidelines for dress, reflecting the collaborative nature of our partnership.”

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