SH.22.03
Technology-facilitated sexual harassment in the workplace: Perpetration, responses and prevention
21 months
The first national study to investigate workplace technology-facilitated sexual harassment (WTFSH) has revealed 1 in 7 Australian adults surveyed admit to engaging in this form of sexual harassment at work.
Workplace technology-facilitated sexual harassment (WTFSH) involves unwelcome sexual conduct using digital technologies, perpetrated in a workplace context – within and beyond the physical location of the workplace, and during or after working hours.
WTFSH can include unwelcome sexual advances or requests, relational pursuit (including monitoring), sexually explicit communications and image-based abuse.
Research aim/s
This project will explore the behaviours, characteristics and specific drivers of WTFSH, focusing on young people and women, who are disproportionately impacted by WTFSH.
This project set out to:
- identify the nature and drivers of WTFSH perpetration
- examine industry (technology provider) strategies to prevent, detect and respond to WTFSH
- produce evidence-based, policy-relevant recommendations that could inform responses to, prevention of, and practice innovation regarding WTFSH.
Methods
The study featured:
- 20 in-depth interviews with industry stakeholders
- a national survey with over 3,300 Australian adults
- focus groups with young adults to identify current gaps in WTFSH response mechanisms.
Significance
This report, among the first from ANROWS’s Sexual Harassment Research Program (SHRP), offers crucial insights to aid Australian employers and policymakers in understanding and combating sexual harassment effectively, aligning with new legal obligations under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) requiring proactive measures to prevent unlawful conduct related to sexual harassment (positive duty).
The report is critical reading for policymakers, lawmakers, worker and industry representatives, employers, and those working in the tech industry.
Researchers
Project lead
Dr Asher Flynn, Associate Professor of Criminology, Monash University
Research team
Dr Anastasia Powell, Associate Professor of Criminology and Justice Studies, RMIT University
Research partners
The project will include an advisory group who represent and service women and young people from diverse demographic backgrounds, and key policy and safety stakeholders working within technology platforms across Australia.
see also
Budget
$170,000 (excluding GST)
This project was funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.