Sexual harassment has affected 77 per cent of LGBTQ+ young people in the workplace, according to alarming new findings.
The research, released today by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS), highlights the occurrence of widespread sexual harassment, targeted at the LGBTQ+ community.
The national study, called #SpeakingOut@Work: Sexual Harassment of LGBTQ Young People in the Workplace and Workplace Training, looked at the workplace experiences of 1000 young people aged 14 to 30 years.
The sexual harassment incidents reported often linked to the young people’s gender, age and sexual orientation, with perpetrators exploiting harmful stereotypes and displaying anti-LGBTQ+ prejudice.
Speaking to the research, distinguished Professor Kerry Robinson, lead researcher from the School of Social Sciences, Western Sydney University, said, “sexual harassment isn’t an isolated incident for LGBTQ young people—it’s part of a larger pattern of harm rooted in homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia.”
“This research shows how deeply workplace harassment impacts LGBTQ young people—it’s not just about inappropriate behaviour, it’s about a culture that devalues their identity.”
The study findings show 30 per cent of respondents reported perpetrators threatened them with sexual violence as a means of “fixing” their gender or sexual orientation, a common experience for young women and those presumed female at birth.
Most perpetrators were men who were older than the people they harassed and typically acted alone.
And 46 per cent of perpetrators were co-workers, while 31 per cent were clients or customers of the workplace.
When it comes to prevention of these issues, the research reveals that LGBTQ+ young people often reported receiving minimal or no training on workplace sexual harassment. And those who had received the training said it was an unhelpful, tick-the-box exercise.
As a result, the report is urging workplaces to implement comprehensive, inclusive training and create policies that foster respectful and safe environments.
“This is a wake-up call to overhaul workplace culture and policies immediately”, said Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine, ANROWS CEO.
“Every inappropriate joke, every intrusive question, every exploitative act pushes LGBTQ young people further from feeling and being safe at work. This must stop. A workplace free from sexual harassment is a responsibility we owe every LGBTQ young person.”
Support:
Full Stop Australia’s Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline: 1800 497 212
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
Say It Out Loud Visit www.sayitoutloud.org.au
QLife on 1800 184 527 or chat online via www.qlife.org.au