BACKGROUND
Just one of the reports that Scott Morrison and his government have not acted on since he became prime minister in August 2018.
1 Introduction
1.1 Executive Summary
(a) The National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces
Workplace sexual harassment is prevalent and pervasive: it occurs in every industry, in every location and at every level, in Australian workplaces. Australians, across the country, are suffering the financial, social, emotional, physical and psychological harm associated with sexual harassment. This is particularly so for women.
This behaviour also represents a very real financial impost to the economy through lost productivity, staff turnover and other associated impacts.
In June 2018, against the backdrop of the momentum of the #MeToo movement and recognition of the prevalence of, and immense harm caused by sexual harassment in Australian, and global, workplaces, the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, and the then Minister for Women, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer, announced the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces (Inquiry).
As Australia’s national human rights institution, the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) was tasked with undertaking this Inquiry. The Commission has an established record of undertaking initiatives aimed at addressing sexual harassment and promoting gender equality.
In the Terms of Reference, the Commission’s task was to review and report on workplace sexual harassment and make recommendations in relation to:
• its prevalence, nature and reporting in Australian workplaces
• the role of technology
• its drivers, including risk factors for particular population groups or in different workplace settings
• the current legal framework
• existing measures to address it and examples of good practice
• its impacts on individuals and businesses, including its economic impact.
This report outlines the Commission’s findings and recommendations. The full list of recommendations is set out at the end of this Executive Summary.
The purpose of this Inquiry is to improve how Australian workplaces prevent and respond to sexual harassment, including through an examination of the systemic issues set out in its Terms of Reference.
The Commission established a Reference Group to provide advice and guidance for the Inquiry. It included members from across government, business groups, unions, academia and the legal and community sector (see Section 1.4(b) for a list of members). The Commission acknowledges and thanks Reference Group members for their valuable assistance with engaging stakeholders and providing frank and robust advice and guidance on the Inquiry.
The Commission received 460 submissions from government agencies, business groups, community bodies and, above all, victims. From September 2018 to February 2019, the Commission conducted 60 consultations as part of the Inquiry, with more than 600 individuals participating in all capital cities and some regional locations across Australia. It also held three roundtables and numerous meetings with key stakeholders.
This report is a reflection of the contributions of many individuals and organisations and the Commission is grateful to those who took the time to attend a consultation, write a submission or assist the Inquiry.
There is an urgency and demand for change across all corners of society.
Australia is also being closely watched internationally. This is Australia’s moment to be a global leader on this important and topical issue.
No comments:
Post a Comment