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Sex Discrimination
12 April 2018Media ReleaseFourth National Survey on workplace sexual harassment
The Australian Human Rights Commission has begun the fourth national survey into workplace sexual harassment. The Commission has undertaken regular surveys on workplace sexual harassment since 2002. The Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins said the next iteration of the world-leading survey will provide important information about the nature, prevalence and reporting of Australians’ … -
Rights and Freedoms
30 November 2022SpeechReforming Age Discrimination Law
Reforming Age Discrimination Law: Beyond Individual Enforcement, Alysia Blackham (2022) Panel discussion Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President, Australian Human Rights Commission I am speaking today from the traditional lands of the Dharug and Gundungurra peoples and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging—and to the traditional custodians of the lands from wherever… -
Sex Discrimination
19 June 2018Media Release
National inquiry into sexual harassment in Australian workplaces
The Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins will today announce a national inquiry into sexual harassment in Australian workplaces. Commissioner Jenkins said the global conversation about sexual harassment and the #MeToo movement has exposed the true prevalence of the problem and the harm it causes to individuals, workplaces and society. “The National Inquiry will involve an in-depth -
Sex Discrimination
14 December 2012Webpage
About Sex Discrimination
Australia has made good progress towards achieving gender equality in recent times. However, women still experience inequality and discrimination in many important parts of their lives. -
Sex Discrimination
12 September 2018Media Release
Sexual harassment in Australian workplaces widespread and pervasive
The Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins will release new figures today that confirm people have told the Commission that sexual harassment is widespread and pervasive and has increased significantly from the last survey six years ago. Commissioner Jenkins will detail the results of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s report Everyone’s business: Fourth national survey on sexual … -
Sex Discrimination
9 February 2021Webpage
Sexual harassment prevention training
Meet good practice standards under the positive duty and upskill your workers in workplace sexual harassment prevention training. -
Sex Discrimination
9 July 2018Opinion piece
Australia's journey to a National Inquiry into workplace sexual harassment
The following opinion piece by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins appeared in Fairfax papers - SMH, the Age and The Canberra Times On 5 October 2017, I boarded a flight from Britain. By the time I landed in Melbourne, the world had changed. The New York Times story exposing decades of sexual harassment and assault perpetrated by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein had broken… -
Sex Discrimination
4 May 2018Opinion piece
Time for some home truths about sexual harassment
The following opinion piece by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins was published in the Age newspaper on May 3, 2018 It’s time for some home truths about how we are talking about and dealing with sexual harassment cases. We need to stop talking about so-called ‘‘hush money’’ and refocus our attention on the basic values of fairness and justice. In 2016, AFL chief executive… -
14 December 2012Book page
Addressing sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity discrimination: Consultation Report (2011)
In October 2010, the Australian Human Rights Commission commenced a public consultation to canvas the experiences and views of people who may have been discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation or sex and/or gender identity. The task was a listening exercise, and a lot needed to be said. -
Sex Discrimination
12 September 2018Speech
National Press Club: Everyone's Business: 2018 Sexual Harassment Survey
Kate Jenkins CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY I acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Ngunnawal people, and pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging. Change takes time In my role as Sex Discrimination Commissioner, many people tell me to be patient. They tell me that change takes time and generational change will eliminate sexual harassment. The next generation will… -
Rights and Freedoms
3 March 2023Speech
Respect@Work – a focus on our profession
This paper considers the amendments to laws regarding workplace bullying and sexual harassment and the employer’s responsibility implementing recommendations of the Commission’s Respect@Work report (2020). -
Sex Discrimination
20 May 2014Publication
Recognising and responding to sexual harassment in the workplace
What is sexual harassment? Sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. If a reasonable person would anticipate this behaviour might make you feel offended, humiliated or intimidated, it may be sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is unlawful under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) . Some examples of behaviour that may be sexual harassment include: Sexually suggestive … -
14 December 2012Book page
Bystander Approaches to Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment in the workplace is a persistent and pervasive problem in Australia and elsewhere, demanding new and creative responses.[1] One significant area that may inform prevention and response strategies is the area of ‘bystander approaches’. In examining the potential for bystander approaches to prevent and respond to workplace sexual harassment, this paper draws upon a… -
Complaint Information Service29 January 2019Webpage
The complaint process for complaints about sex, race, disability and age discrimination
View the complaint process to the Australian Human Rights Commission for complaints about sex, race, disability and age discrimination. -
Sex Discrimination
28 May 2024Opinion piece
When it comes to domestic violence, the response cannot be one-size-fits-all
In the past weeks, we have seen tens of thousands of Australians united in a single message: no more violence against women. From the time emergency National Cabinet was called to the time they met; three more women had been killed. We have an epidemic of gendered violence in this country, and we must - and can - do better. On Wednesday, the federal government announced a commitment of $925 … -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageFederal Discrimination Law: Chapter 4 - The Sex Discrimination Act
The definitions of discrimination include both direct and indirect discrimination, with the exception of the definition of discrimination on the ground of family responsibilities, which is limited to direct discrimination. -
14 December 2012Book page
Section 13 - Conclusion - Addressing sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity discrimination: Consultation Report (2011)
Equality for people of all sexual orientations and sex/and or gender identities is supported by international human rights agreements which Australia has agreed to observe. Taking steps to achieve such equality is the responsibility of the federal government. For this reason, the Commission is particularly pleased by the Government’s commitment to introduce federal protections from… -
Sex Discrimination
22 February 2024News story
Positive Duty: Supporting safe, inclusive and respectful workplaces
In December 2023, the Australian Human Rights Commission convened a panel of experts to discuss the positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act, compliance and enforcement policies, and efforts to address workplace sexual harassment and other unlawful behavior. -
Complaint Information Service14 December 2012Webpage
Complaints under the Sex Discrimination Act
The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (the SDA) makes it against the law to treat you unfairly because of your: sex; gender identity; intersex status; sexual orientation; marital or relationship status (including same-sex de facto couples); family responsibilities; because you are pregnant or might become pregnant; because you are breastfeeding. -
Commission – General
7 April 2016WebpageFormer Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins
Read about the former Kate Jenkins, former Sex Discrimination Commissioner, and her impact on advancing gender equality and the rights of LGBTIQ+ communities.