The University of South Australia has published a report that suggests sexual harassment remains a persistent problem in Australian workplaces.

 

Published as part of an Australian Research Council Discovery Project, the report analysed 284 sexual harassment complaints reported to all Australian, state and territory equal opportunity commissions. The report details the type, prevalence, people and organisations involved in sexual harassment complaints.

 

Sara Charlesworth, an Associate Professor at UniSA, says that the report sheds greater light on the nature of workplace sexual harassment.

 

“Previously, data about sexual harassment complaints in Australia have been limited to what has been reported in individual Commissions’ annual reports, which don’t have the depth or detail provided in this report,” Associate Professor Charlesworth said.

 

“This report provides a better picture of the types of sexual harassment that are the subject of formal complaints. 

“In Australian workplaces, formal sexual harassment complaints are more likely to involve people who are in less precarious employment situations and who report the ‘classic’ profile of sexual harassment with a male harasser in a senior position harassing a more junior woman, and involving physical sexual harassment.” 

 

The report finds that sexual harassment often leads to negative consequences beyond the workplace for those who experience it, including anxiety, poorer health and well being and, frequently, job loss.

 

The report can be found here