Does Sexual Harassment Happen in My Workplace — and to who?

Sexual harassment happens in every industry and every workplace — and it impacts some people more than others.In this podette, host Rosie Wheen brings together powerful voices from across the Not in My Workplace series — including Tarang Chawla, Multicultural Commissioner and founder of Not One More Niki, and Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody.They unpack the reality of where and to whom sexual harassment happens, and what that means for every one of us as leaders, colleagues, and teammates.It’s a reminder that awareness is the first step toward action — and that each of us has a role to play in making our workplaces safer, more inclusive, and more respectful.These podettes are intended as conversation starters. Here’s a suggested framework to facilitate a safe, open and meaningful discussion after listening:1. Set the Scene (5 minutes)Revisit your ground rules: respect, confidentiality, and listening without judgment.Link this conversation to your organisation’s values and purpose.Acknowledge this topic can be sensitive — share internal and external supports, including 1800RESPECT.Name your intention: eg “We’re here to learn together about how sexual harassment shows up in workplaces like ours — and what we can do to change that.”2. Listen Together (5 minutes)Play the Podette as a group.Invite everyone to note any insights or questions that stands out for them.3. Open Reflection (10–15 minutes) Suggested prompts (Choose 2 or 3):What surprised you most from this Podette content?How might sexual harassment show up — or be hidden — in our workplace?What can we learn from who is most at risk?How do our current systems help or hinder people to speak up?4. Action Steps (10 minutes)Ask: “What’s one small action we can take as a team to make our workplace safer and more respectful?”Agree on one step and how you’ll check back on it.5. Close (5 minutes)Thank everyone for their openness.Remind people of support options internally and externally (including 1800RESPECT).Encourage ongoing curiosity and care.Resource list for you and your teamRespect at Work  https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/sex-discrimination/respectatworkRecent Reports:LGBTQIA+ Workplace Harassment – Kerry Robinson et al https://www.anrows.org.au/publication/sexual-harassment-lgbtq-young-people/Migrant Women & Workplace Harassment – Marie Segrave et al. https://www.anrows.org.au/publication/migrant-and-refugee-women-in-australia-a-study-of-sexual-harassment-in-the-workplace/Unions NSW on Migrant Workers’ Experiences https://www.unionsnsw.org.au/publication/disrespected-disregarded-discarded-migrant-worker-sexual-harassment/Why it matters: These facilitated discussions help turn listening into action. They can build safety by making space for every voice, respecting lived experience, and fostering collective responsibility for change.If you want to hear more about building trusted and inclusive spaces at work listen to our episode Let’s get practical – creating safe, equal and respectful workplacesCara Glesson | She/Her | Director, Our Watch InstituteLeadership, Legacy, and the Long GameTanya Hosch | She/Her | Executive General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy for the Australian Football League