Speaking from Experience: Asking workers in Newcastle what needs to change to address workplace sexual harassment?

The Australian Human Rights Commission wants to hear from individuals who have been sexually harassed at work on what they think needs to change to make workplaces safer. The information gathered will help create resources to make workplaces safer for everyone. 

We want to hear from you if you are a:

• Young person aged 18-24
• First Nations worker 
• LGBTIQ+ worker
• Migrant and/or seasonal worker
• Culturally and/or racially marginalised worker,
• Worker with a disability.

Individuals within these groups are often underrepresented in research and policy, yet overrepresented incidences of workplace sexual harassment.

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Join us on Tuesday 6th of August, 02:00pm - 04:30pm (AEST) at the Hunter Women's Centre. 

You will receive a $120 gift voucher for attendance and there will be food and drinks. Limited spaces are available.

If the session is full, and you are interested in taking part, you can email the Speaking from Experience team to find out about other ways to take part. Please email speakingfromexperience@humanrights.gov.au.  

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What to expect: 

A group workshop, facilitated by Dr Anna Cody, the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, to discuss three key questions: 

1. What you think a helpful response to workplace sexual harassment would look like.
2. What you think an unhelpful response to workplace sexual harassment would look like.  
3. What you think needs to change to address workplace sexual harassment. 

You will not be asked to share your personal experience of workplace sexual harassment.  

An information pack will be shared with you once you register. This will include information about the project, an agenda, and what to expect.  

Before you take part, we will ask for your consent to collect information you share.   

Getting there 

Address is 60 Industrial Drive, Mayfield (Cnr Avon Street). 

Important things to remember 

We will not include your name or any personal details in any of the resources to be developed.   

The Speaking from Experience project is not an official complaint process and will not solve problems. It will give you the opportunity to share what you think needs to change to make workplaces safer. We can provide you with information about how to make a complaint, if you would like.  

There will be no counsellors at the meeting, however, you will be provided with a list of services that you can contact for support.  

Fees and payment 

Participation is unpaid. However, if you come to the in-person meeting, we will give you a $120 cash card to help with some of the costs of being part of the meeting. 

Accessibility 

The Commission has translators and interpreters available. Please indicate if you would like either to be present when you register.  

Other ways to contribute

You can also share your thoughts online through the Speaking from Experience website. Anyone over 18 who has been sexually harassed at work can make a submission. You can write it down or audio record it. You can do this until September 2024.  

To learn more about what workplace sexual harassment is and what you can do if it happens to you, please visit the Australian Human Rights Commission website. 

Ethics approval 

This project has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of The University of Sydney (HREC Approval Number: 2023/580)