Call for upgrade of sex harassment law as incidents go unreported

More than 60 per cent of women — and 35 per cent of men — have been sexually harassed at work, but fewer than half report it, ­according to a survey of 7500 people.

More than 60 per cent of women have been sexually harassed at work, but less than half report it, ­according to a union survey of 7500 people.

The interim results of an ongoing Australian Council of Trade Unions online survey show 61 per cent of women and 35 per cent of men say they have been sexually ­harassed at work.

This includes 69 per cent who have experienced crude or offensive behaviour, 46 per cent unwanted sexual attention, 34 per cent inappropriate contact of a sexual nature and 8 per cent sexual coercion. Nearly one in five say they have been sexually harassed on social media.

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More than 60 per cent of women have been sexually harassed at work.

The survey also found 64 per cent of people had witnessed sexual harassment at work, but two-thirds didn’t make a complaint and 40 per cent didn’t tell anyone, fearing negative consequences.

Around half of those who reported harassment were still in the same workplace. When asked what could be done to improve how the complaint was handled, 62 per cent said they wanted better protection from victimisation, one half wanted more information and support for victims, and one-third wanted a faster complaints process.

ACTU president Michele O’Neil said workplace laws had failed women and men who experienced sexual ­harassment at work.

ACTU president Michele O’Neil says all workers should be able to go to work ‘free from the fear of harassment and unwanted sexual ­attention’. Picture: Glenn Hunt

“We need to change the rules. Sexual harassment is a workplace issue and people who experience it should be able to take it up through the workplace umpire,” she said.

“We need access to fair, ­effective and efficient complaints mechanisms that ­support people who’ve been harassed, not punish them.”

Ms O’Neil said all workers should be able to go to work “free from the fear of harassment and unwanted sexual ­attention”.

“The interim results show that while nearly two-thirds of women have experienced ­harassment, very few believe that our current rules will ­deliver them justice,” she said.

The survey results will have any identification removed and will be submitted to the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in the Workplace run by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

It can be accessed at ­australianunions.org.au until the end of November.

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