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If you’ve experienced sexual harassment at work

If you or someone you know wants to report sexual harassment, or seek advice or information, WorkSafe Victoria (WorkSafe) and the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) can help.

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If you need assistance

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)

If you would like support from an interpreter, you can contact us using the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National).

National Relay Service (NRS)

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech or communication difficulty please contact us by:

Step 1 - Contact us through your preferred NRS call channel detailed on NRS call numbers and links.

Step 2 - Provide the NRS with our phone number 1800 136 089.

More information about the National Relay Service.

General information

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.

If you or someone you know wants to report sexual harassment, or seek advice or information, WorkSafe Victoria (WorkSafe) and the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) can help.

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Sexual harassment at work

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

Click between the VEOHRC and WorkSafe tabs below to compare information.

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 7:30 am to 6:30 pm, Monday to Friday.

VEOHRCcan 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:

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.

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)

Victoria Legal Aid MOB Helpline

Call 1300 662 852 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 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)

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

Information about help outside of Victoria

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