New Insights Confirm: Sexual Harassment in Workplaces is Widespread, Harmful—and Preventable

The Victorian Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector has released a powerful new Insights Report on sexual harassment. Drawing on workplace gender audit data from over 300 public sector organisations, the findings paint a stark picture: sexual harassment remains alarmingly prevalent across all industries, with disproportionate impacts on women, young workers, LGBTIQ+ people, and people with disability.

But the report also makes something else clear—prevention is possible. By embedding gender equality strategies, supporting active bystander cultures, and holding leadership accountable, organisations can shift the structures that allow harm to occur.

At Training for Respect, this new evidence reinforces our commitment to workplace and training environments where everyone feels safe, respected and included. We encourage TAFEs and RTOs to read the report and consider how they are identifying and responding to gendered violence in their settings—including harassment by students, staff, or the public.