Respectful Workplace Program

Sexual Harassment, Bullying & Harassment, Discrimination and Bystander Training

Diversity Australia is the leading National supplier in Respectful Workplace Program (Sexual Harassment, Bullying & Harassment, Discrimination and Bystander) training for organisations. One of the biggest changes is new National and International Laws that are now highlighted with the recent disclosures in the Entertainment Industry that has created a wave of new allegations effecting many businesses globally.

Sexual harassment is bullying or coercion of a sexual nature and the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favours. Sexual harassment includes a range of actions from mild transgressions to sexual abuse or assault. If you have particular concerns and need advice on your approach in dealing with specific cases please contact us.

What Is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment is any unwanted or unwelcome sexual behaviour, which makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated.

Sexual harassment is not interaction, flirtation or friendship which is mutual or consensual.

Sexual harassment is a type of sex discrimination.

The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) makes sexual harassment unlawful in some circumstances.

Despite being outlawed for over 25 years, sexual harassment remains a large problem in Australia.

Sexual harassment disproportionately affects women with 1 in 5 experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace at some time. However, 1 in 20 men also report experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace.

Who Needs To Take Sexual Harassment Training?

All members of an organisation’s workforce that includes:

Boards of Directors
Employees
Managers
Supervisors
Contract Workers
Volunteers
Suppliers

Managers and supervisors must be given additional specialised training on how to properly handle cases of sexual harassment.

Identifying Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment may include:

staring or leering
unnecessary familiarity, such as deliberately brushing up against you or unwelcome touching
suggestive comments or jokes
insults or taunts of a sexual nature
intrusive questions or statements about your private life
displaying posters, magazines or screen savers of a sexual nature
sending sexually explicit emails or text messages
inappropriate advances on social networking sites
accessing sexually explicit internet sites
requests for sex or repeated unwanted requests to go out on dates
behaviour that may also be considered to be an offence under criminal law, such as physical assault, indecent exposure, sexual assault, stalking or obscene communications.

What Are The First Steps?

The first step in preventing and eliminating sexual harassment involves educating all members of the workforce on sexual harassment, acceptable behaviours and cultural respect.

Directors, Managers and supervisors must be given additional specialised training on how to properly handle cases of sexual harassment and bullying. The final step is setting up a process for when sexual harassment occurs:

Reporting complaints – Whistle Blower Service Hotlines
Handling complaints – Contact Officers Training if internalised
Investigations, and
Corrective measures and Education

Course Outline

Module 1 – Introduction to sexual harassment

Module 2 – Understanding Sexual Harassment

Module 3 – Creating a harassment-free workplace

Module 4 – Sexual Harassment and the law

Module 5 – Preventing sexual harassment in the workplace

NOTE: The 30 Minute Online Program is a cut down version of the Face to Face / Virtual content above and is generally a refresher / induction module as an introduction to Bullying and Sexual Harassment as its prosecuted under the same legal framework.

If your organisation has had a series of incidents or reports we recommend, as a base approach, a 2 hour face to face delivery to ensure you meet the standards required by the national laws.