The Being an Ethical Bystander Survey is a short, 5-minute survey that will support the work of Unions NSW to address sexual harassment as a collective issue.
It can be difficult to intervene when we witness sexual harassment in the workplace. Sometimes it may be difficult to recognise the behaviour. And many of us who witness sexual harassment may not know what to do to intervene and support our colleagues.
Recent union-led changes to the law in NSW strengthen requirements for employers to address sexual harassment as a work, health and safety matter. Workers and their unions now have stronger rights to enforce a safe workplace and obtain fines where employers are non-compliant.
This survey will ask you questions about your perceptions and experience of intervening in and addressing sexual harassment in your workplace. Your answers will contribute to our work on addressing sexual harassment as a collective issue.
What is sexual harassment?
Studies repeatedly tell us that workers sometimes do not recognise sexual harassment, which ranges from “just a joke” through to criminal assault.
According to the SafeWork NSW Code of Practice on Sexual and gender-based harassment, sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance, unwelcome request for sexual favours or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature which makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated, where a reasonable person would anticipate that reaction in the circumstances. Gender-based harassment describes unwelcome conduct based on a person’s gender, sex or sexuality.
The SafeWork NSW Code of Practice outlines some examples of sexual or gender-based harassment which might include:
- comments, insults or ‘jokes’ of a sexually suggestive or explicit nature, or which are sexist or gendered
- inappropriate staring or leering that makes a person feel uncomfortable
- inappropriate physical contact including unwelcome touching, hugging, kissing or cornering
- intrusive questions or comments about a person’s private life (e.g., relationship status), physical appearance or bodily functions (e.g., menstruation or anatomy)
- sharing or threatening to share an intimate image or video without consent
- spreading sexual rumours about a person
- sexually explicit images, videos, cartoons, drawings, photographs or ‘jokes’
- repeated or inappropriate invitations to go out on dates or advances and requests or pressure for sex or other sexual acts
- being followed or watched inappropriately, either in person or via technology
- sexual gestures or indecent exposure
- sexualised comments about a person’s appearance or clothing, or derogatory comments because clothing does not conform to narrow gender norms
- derogatory, offensive or demeaning comments about a person because of their sex, sexuality or gender
- deliberately misgendering someone, using incorrect pronouns or deadnaming to demean or belittle them
- comments about a person’s sexual performance or appearance (e.g. rating people on their sexual desirability)
- excluding a person from training, promotions or opportunities based on their sex, gender or sexuality,
- gendered double-standards or different repercussions for the same actions
- actual or attempted rape or sexual assault
- physical assault, abuse or threats targeted at an individual because of their sex, gender or sexuality
Sexual harassment can be a repeated behaviour, or a one-off incident. Workers are affected both as targets of harassment and as bystanders. Employers must protect workers against sexual and gender-based harassment at work, which can include:
- Your usual workplace
- Working remotely, including at home
- Working at a different location, such as a client’s home
- At work-related activities, like conferences, training, work trips, work-related events or the office Christmas party
- By phone, email or online, including social media
- At worker accommodation, such as on FIFO sites.
This survey will take 5 minutes to complete. If you are experiencing distress in this survey, please speak to someone: Full Stop Australia is one of the country’s leading sexual, domestic and family violence response and recovery services, offering free, 24/7 confidential trauma specialist counselling to affected people of all genders. Call 1800 385 578 or visit their website at fullstop.org.au.