Community and legal centres are telling us they're gearing up for an influx of cases over the coming weeks.(Pixabay: bridgesward)
With less than a month until Christmas, end-of-year work parties are now well underway.
For many, it's a chance to celebrate the end of a long year. Butmore than one in six (15 per cent)incidents of sexual harassment in Australia happen at work social events. Sexual harassment also happens during work-related travel, which includes beingdriven home from a work party.
You're not alone. Community and legal centres are telling us they're gearing up for an influx of cases over the coming weeks.
And if you're a partygoer who sees something that makes you uncomfortable, or a boss wanting to keep your employees safer — here's how you can make a real difference too.
What if I was harassed at a work party?
If someone's made an unwelcome sexual advance, that wasn't your fault. Especially when it's someone you know and thought you could trust, being harassed canfeel confusing and scary.
We're part of athree-year research projecton how to prevent sexual harassment at work.
What counts as sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment at workcan include:
unwanted touching
unwanted staring
repeated unwanted requests to go on dates
sexual jokes
questions or comments about your body
displays of rude pictures
not hiring or promoting someone because of their sex.
The Australian Human Rights Commission's most recentnational survey on sexual harassmentin workplaces from 2022 found:
77 per cent of people sexually harassed at work were harassed by a man
of those who experienced workplace sexual harassment in the last five years, 91 per cent of women and 55 per cent of men were harassed by men
9 per cent of women and 44 per cent of men were harassed by women.
While undertaking that research, one of the warnings we're seeing from victim-survivors who have made harassment complaints is how often invisibility was a factor. In other words, situations without many other people around as witnesses.
Another risk factor is close proximity. That can happen at the party itself, especially in crowded areas. Or it could happen on a drive to or from the party, where you're stuck in a car, with little chance of getting away.
It's often harder than people realise to get out of those situations. As soon as you can, tell a friend or colleague what's happened and get help.
What if I was sexually assaulted?
If you've been sexually assaulted, please seek help from1800RESPECTand other support services.
Most sexual violence is stillnot reported to police. As a recentreportexplained, many victim-survivors don't know what to expect if they do report an assault.
If you or anyone you know needs help:
National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service: 1800RESPECT, 1800 737 732
13Yarn: 139276
Mensline: 1300789978
Respect@Work Information Service: 1300656419
Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380
Bravehearts: 1800 272 831
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Headspace: 1800 650 890
QLife: 1800 184 527
ReachOut.com
Working Women's Centres
If you want to know more about going to police after a sexual assault, criminology senior lecturer Gemma Hamilton just publishedthis article for The Conversation.
Being believed matters. So don’t ask “are you sure that’s what happened?”(ABC News: Margaret Burin)
Bystanders can make a difference
The Human Rights Commission'slatest surveyon workplace sexual harassment foundover a third (35 per cent) of bystanderstake action when they see, or find out about, sexual harassment at their work.
Men can be a great ally in this situation. Data showsmale bystanders are slightly more likelyto take action than women. Andthey're significantly more likely(49 per cent vs 31 per cent of women) to actually say something to the harasser.
That difference is understandable, givenmost harassers are men, and people need to feel safe enough to speak up.
Three in five bystanders (61 per cent)who took action on workplace sexual harassment reported the sexual harassment stopped as a result of their intervention.
At parties, people can be drunk or unpredictable. Here are two things you can try.
Speak up to challenge the harassment. Or, if it's unsafe, you can try distraction: approach the person you think may be being harassed to say, Sorry to interrupt, I need to speak to you.
If you aren't comfortable speaking up, let the person being harassed know you're there for them.
What if a colleague discloses harassment or assault to you?
This year, more than 300 Australian victim-survivors shared what werehelpful and unhelpful responsesto their harassment.
Being believed matters. So don't ask are you sure that's what happened?
Your first responseshould be: I'm so sorry that happened, thank you for telling me. Are you OK? What would help you feel safe?
And be there for support, rather than telling them what to do.
What must all bosses and workplaces do — even at a party?
All Australian businesses, big or small, now have a legal duty to take preventative action against a number of unlawful behaviours — including sexual harassment connected with work.
Known as a positive duty, it's been in force since the end of 2022.
The best preventative measures you can take start long before a work party. Theculture of an organisationstrongly shapes whether harassment is seen as something people can get away with.
In the lead up to a social event, managers can also send strong signals that harassment or assault at the work party will be treated as seriously as in the workplace.
