New report reveals shocking number of Aussies sexually harassed in the workplace

A new report has revealed the number of workers who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.

More Australians are being faced with the decision between their livelihoods and their safety, with new data revealing one in three have experienced workplace sexual harassment.

The Australian Human Rights Commission’s (AHRC) Speaking from Experience report found a significant number of victim-survivors identified as a vulnerable person.

Of the 300 workers interviewed, 47 per cent of those were young people aged between 15 to 17, 53 per cent identified as having a disability, while 44 per cent of survey respondents were from LGBTQIA+ communities.

Twenty-six per cent were citizens of another country or visa holders.

The findings pointed to those who had “more to lose”, or were in positions with no power, were most often targeted.

Respondents who had “more to lose” or held less power were often targeted at a higher rate. Picture: iStock

“Speaking from Experience was a groundbreaking listening and reform project,” Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody said.

“It provided a full picture of how harassers target people of all identities within our community … what we learnt was that WSH is rarely only an issue of gendered power.

“WSH relates to, and intersects with, other forms of discrimination such as race, migration status, sexuality, gender identity, disability, First Nations status and age.

“These solutions to prevent workplace sexual harassment come from listening to those who have lived it,” she added.

“We heard the experiences of more than 300 Australians from diverse backgrounds, who told us what needs to change in addressing workplace sexual harassment.

“Workers shouldn’t have to choose between their safety and their livelihood.”

The AHRC is now calling for a number of reforms – including amending the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to limit the use of confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, increasing funding for specialist support services and introducing civil penalties for employers who breach their Positive Duty – to be introduced to make Australian workplaces safer.

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody said workers shouldn’t have to choose between their safety and their livelihoods. Picture: NewsWire Handout

A major reform centred around accessibility, with many workers, especially those from non-English speaking backgrounds, facing barriers to information as resources were often presented in complex and legalistic language.

Many respondents noted a sense of denied justice, with employer responses to WSH reports often leading to being disbelieved or harming career prospects and community relations.

“Secure work conditions, characterised by fair contracts, financial stability, and robust worker protections, are foundational to addressing WSH,” the report read.

“Safety and inclusivity go hand-in-hand.”

Dr Cody said workplace sexual harassment can affect every part of life, with plenty of work still to be done in addressing, and ultimately curbing, the issue.

“While it is a final crucial step in the Commission’s Respect@Work agenda, there is still plenty of work to be done … for real action, accountability, and cultural shifts for everyone to be safe and respected at work.”

Originally published as New report reveals shocking number of Aussies sexually harassed in the workplace