Speaking from Experience
Explore the Speaking from Experience project, which centred workers' voices on sexual harassment to drive safer and more respectful Australian workplaces.
Summary
The Commission has launched Speaking from Experience, a landmark project that centres the voices of people with lived experience in workplace sexual harassment reform.
About this project
Sexual harassment is still unacceptably prevalent in Australian workplaces, with one in three people having experienced workplace sexual harassment in Australia in the last five years.
Recommendation 27 of the Respect@Work report called for 'a disclosure process be established that enables victim-survivors of historical workplace sexual harassment to have their experiences heard and documented with a view to promoting recovery.'
Speaking from Experience invited people who have been sexually harassed at work to have their say about what they thought needed to change to make workplaces safer. Through audio and written submissions and in-person consultations across Australia, people with lived experience were asked what helped, what didn't, and what needs to change when it comes to addressing workplace sexual harassment.
The consultations focused on listening to workers from marginalised communities who often face intersectional forms of workplace harassment. We heard from workers on temporary visas, workers with a disability, LGBTQA+ workers, First Nations workers, young workers and culturally and racially marginalised workers.
What we heard in consultations created the Speaking from Experience report and a suite of resources for workers, employers, and advocates to help address workplace sexual harassment.
The Speaking from Experience report
A landmark report highlighting the systemic barriers behind workplace sexual harassment and the urgent reforms needed to create lasting, meaningful change.
Workplace sexual harassment guidance
These resources are designed to support workplaces, employers, and advocates to take practical, trauma-informed action to address and prevent sexual harassment.
