If you’ve experienced sexual harassment at work

You can find information and resources about work-related sexual harassment for employees in Victoria on this page.  

Note: Information on this page is not legal advice.   

If you need legal advice, contact your legal representative or Victoria Legal Aid. You can find contact details for other legal services below.

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Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual behaviour that could make a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated. Work-related sexual harassment happens at work, work-related events, or between people sharing the same workplace.  

Examples of work-related sexual harassment 

Sexual harassment can happen once or more than once. It can involve unwanted or unwelcome: 

• touching, hugging or other physical contact, like brushing against someone   
• staring or leering   
• suggestive comments or jokes   
• display of explicit images, pictures or posters   
• repeated requests to go out 
• requests for sex   
• sexual acts like masturbating in front of someone 
• intrusive questions about your personal life, body or appearance 
• abuse, threats or insults based on your sex, gender or sexuality  
• sexually explicit emails, text messages or posts online 
• sexual assault or rape.

What you can do 

We know it’s difficult to talk about work-related sexual harassment, and we’re here to support you. 

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment at work, you can report it or seek advice.  

Who can help 

You can report work-related sexual harassment within your workplace. Your workplace may have health and safety representatives (HSRs) who will be able to support you through the process. 

Outside of your workplace, you can report to our Commission or WorkSafe.  

More support services, including some outside of Victoria, are provided on this page.  

VEOHRC 

VEOHRC can help you with matters relating to equality and discrimination, including sexual harassment.  

Contact VEOHRC if you need: 

• someone to provide information about your rights if you’ve experienced sexual harassment at work 
• someone to help to resolve a dispute with your employer or the person who harassed you and seek an outcome (such as an apology, a promise to address the behaviour, financial compensation) 
• someone to work with your employer to help change your workplace culture to prevent future sexual harassment. 

Contact details 

You can:

• call VEOHRC on 1300 292 153 (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday)
• email at enquiries@veohrc.vic.gov.au
• make a complaint using our online form. 

If you don’t want to make a formal report but still want to tell us about your experience, you can use our Community reporting tool.   

WorkSafe 

WorkSafe can help you with matters relating to your health and safety at work. This includes sexual harassment. 

Contact WorkSafe if you need: 

• someone to check if your employer is meeting their legal duty on sexual harassment at work (WorkSafe may investigate further if your employer isn’t doing enough to prevent sexual harassment) 
• someone to help your employer understand how to prevent sexual harassment in the future or help make changes at your workplace. 

Contact details 

You can call WorkSafe Advisory on 1800 136 089.  

Available 8.00 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday.  

If you’re unsure about who to call 

You can contact one or both organisations. We can provide more information and guidance on next steps.   

It’s safe for you to call us  

Our staff are trained to help people who have experienced sexual harassment.   

You can remain anonymous when you call us. You don’t have to tell us your name, your employer, or other personal information. However, there are some things we may not be able to do unless we know some information. We can talk to you about this when you call us, so you can make an informed decision.   

We won’t share your information with anyone unless you give us permission.  

You can contact us yourself or you can ask someone else to make a complaint for you. This can be a family member, friend, advocate, union, HSR or lawyer.   

More information about how we can help 

WorkSafe and VEOHRC have a range of services and reporting options available. 

You can find more information at How to report sexual harassment at work   

Our services are free  

Our services are free and available to everyone.   

We’ll help you regardless of: 

• the language you speak  
• your race or ethnic background 
• your religious beliefs 
• your gender identity 
• your sexual orientation  
• your visa or migration status  
• your age 
• whether you have a disability.   

We offer culturally safe services for First Nations people.  

Your rights 

It’s against the law for your employer to treat you unfairly because you discuss or report sexual harassment or safety concerns with WorkSafe, VEOHRC, your union, HSR or a co-worker.   

If you feel your employer has treated you unfairly for getting help, you can contact WorkSafe or VEOHRC to report it or find out more about your rights. 

If you need legal advice 

You can call the legal services below or talk to your union about the best option for you.  

WorkSafe and VEOHRC don’t provide legal advice or represent workers or employers.  

• Victoria Legal Aid: Call 1300 792 387 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm) 
• Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service: Call 1800 064 865 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm) 
• Q+Law (Free legal service for and by LGBTIQA+SB people): Call (03) 9968 1002 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm) 
• Federation of Community Legal Centres: Call (03) 9652 1501 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm) 
• Legal helpline for First Nations People : 1300 MOB VLA (1300 662 852) between 9 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays). 

More support services 

If you’re not in immediate danger but need more support, there are free counselling services available. 

• Lifeline: Call 13 11 14  (24 hours, 7 days) 
• 1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732 
• Sexual Assault Crisis Line: Call 1800 806 292 
• Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline: Call 1800 497 212 
• 13 YARN: Call 139 276