Question

Define Sexual Harrassment

Answer 1

• Sexual harassment is an unwelcome sexual advance, unwelcome request for sexual favours or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature which makes a person feel offended, humiliated and/or intimidated, where a reasonable person would anticipate that reaction in the circumstances.
• Examples of sexually harassing behaviour include:
• unwelcome touching;
• staring or leering;
• suggestive comments or jokes;
• sexually explicit pictures or posters;
• unwanted invitations to go out on dates;
• requests for sex;
• intrusive questions about a person's private life or body;
• unnecessary familiarity, such as deliberately brushing up against a person;
• insults or taunts based on sex;
• sexually explicit physical contact; and
• sexually explicit emails or SMS text messages.
• A working environment or workplace culture that is sexually permeated or hostile will also amount to unlawful sexual harassment. Some of the factors emerging from the case law which may indicate a potentially hostile environment include the display of obscene or pornographic materials, general sexual banter, crude conversation or innuendo and offensive jokes.
• The Sex Discrimination Act makes sexual harassment unlawful in many areas of public life, including in employment situations, educational institutions, the provision of goods, services and accommodation and the administration of Commonwealth laws or programs.