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Preventing and dealing with sexual harassment: for volunteers. Your organisation here. Sexual harassment and volunteers. The sexual harassment provisions under Part 6 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 now apply to volunteers in the same way as they apply to paid staff.
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Preventing and dealing with sexual harassment:for volunteers Your organisation here
Sexual harassment and volunteers • The sexual harassment provisions under Part 6 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 now apply to volunteers in the same way as they apply to paid staff
Sexual harassment and volunteers • This means that: • Volunteers have the right not to be sexually harassed by their employer, a paid staff member, another volunteer or a service user • Volunteers have an obligation not to sexually harass their employer, a paid staff member, another volunteer or a service user • Organisations’ sexual harassment policies will need to cover volunteers
Sexual harassment is… • unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature • behaviour that could reasonably be expected to make a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated Sexual harassment can be physical, verbal or written
Examples of sexual harassment: • persistent, unwelcome demands or even subtle pressure for sexual favours or dates • leering, touching or unnecessary intrusion into someone’s personal space • offensive jokes and comments, name-calling, intrusive questions, speculation about another person’s physical appearance or private life Continued…/
Examples of sexual harassment: Continued…/ • displaying or sending pornography (especially when it is directed at particular individuals) ranging from material that might be considered mildly erotic through to material that is sexually explicit • use of mobile phones (text messaging), emails, notice-boards or any other workplace communication method for any of the above.
By the way… • A single incident is enough to constitute sexual harassment – it doesn’t have to be repeated. • It is also against the law to victimise someone because they have made a complaint of sexual harassment.
When is it a criminal offence? • Some types of sexual harassment can also be a criminal offence. • These include indecent exposure, stalking and sexual assault, as well as obscene or threatening phone calls, letters, emails, text messages and posts on social networking sites.
Sexual harassment is not… • behaviour which is based on mutual attraction, friendship and respect; • if the interaction is consensual, welcome and reciprocated, is not sexual harassment.
Dealing with complaints Self-management – complainant deals directly with the respondent Informal – manager or supervisor assistance Internal complaint– investigation to test allegation. Finding. Recommendation. External complaint– i.e. VEOHRC, Worksafe, Police
If problems arise… • Complaints of sexual harassment by anybody associated with this organisation – volunteers, paid staff or service users – will be taken seriously. • Our XXX policy offers clear guidance around what happens when a complaint arises… • Or call the VEOHRC Advice Line on 1300 292 153