A recent inquiry into sexual harassment by the Australian Human Rights Commission has highlighted the issues facing Australian women in the workplace.
The inquiry, which detailed more than 420 submissions of experiences with sexual harassment, found that one in three Australians had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace in the past five years.
Especially concerning is that 85% of the submissions were the experiences of women. The results depict a ‘culture of sexism and sexual harassment’, with behaviour including sexual assault, coercion, sexism and belittling.
Although the #MeToo movement and increased awareness of sexual assault in recent times was thought to have influenced results, many participants still felt uncomfortable reporting their experiences for fear of damaging their careers or reputations.
For more information about the survey and issues facing Australian women in particular, have a read of this article from The Guardian.
Martin Bullock Lawyers advocates for tolerance and diversity. Sexism and gender discrimination have no place in Australia.
If you are facing or have experienced workplace discrimination or harassment, do not hesitate to seek legal advice. Call us on 02 9687 8322 to book an initial consultation.