On this page, we talk about sexual harassment.

There is support available if the information on this page upsets you.

You can find out more on our page about support.

On this page:

• What sexual harassment is
• How sexual harassment can affect you
• What you can do

Sexual harassment is against the law in Australia.

It can make people feel:

• embarrassed
• upset.

You do not have to be okay with sexual harassment if it happens to you.

You do not have to laugh along with it.

Or say that it is okay.

Everyone has the right to feel safe and comfortable.

Sexual harassment happens when people do not care about consent.

You can find out more about consent on the Say It Out Loud website.

You can also find out more about consent on the 1800RESPECT website.

Anyone can experience sexual harassment.

It does not matter:

• what age you are
• what type of disability you have
• what gender you are.

  Your gender is what you feel and understand about who you are as a person.

  You may think of yourself as a man or a woman or something different.

  You can choose the words that are right for you.

People can experience sexual harassment from anyone.

For example:

• a stranger
• a friend or family member
• your carer or teacher.

Sexual harassment can happen anywhere.

For example, it might happen:

• in your home
• at work
• at your church
• in a public place, like a park.

We wrote some examples of sexual harassment to help you understand what it is.

You can skip this section if it upsets you.

Sexual harassment can include when someone:

• makes sexual jokes or comments about your body
• stares at your private body parts, like your breasts
• shows they are sexually interested in you, when it is clear you are uncomfortable.

Sexual harassment can also include when someone:

• asks you personal questions, like questions about your body
• sends you sexual messages, like a naked photograph of themselves
• tells you that you need to take part in sexual activities with them.

Sexual harassment can also include when someone:

• shows you their private body parts
• touches you when you do not want them to.

Some sexual harassment can be examples of sexual violence or abuse.

You can find out more on our page about sexual violence or abuse.

We wrote some examples of the ways sexual harassment can affect your:

• mental health
• physical health.

Sexual harassment can make you feel:

• stressed
• angry
• afraid
• weak.

Sexual harassment can lead to you feeling bad for a long time.

For example, it can lead to depression.

Sexual harassment can make you feel:

• shaky and sweaty
• sick in your stomach.

You might:

• have trouble sleeping
• find it hard to concentrate
• have headaches or backaches.

There are steps you can take if you have experienced sexual harassment.

We have information and resources on this website to help you get the support you need.

You can find out more on our page about support.

You can also find information about how to stop the sexual harassment.

For example, if you have experienced sexual harassment at work, you can:

• tell someone at work, like your manager
• read your work’s policy about how people should treat each other at work.

  A policy is:

  • a plan for how to do things
  • where rules come from.

You can also learn about how to speak up for yourself.

You can learn more on our page about speaking up for yourself.

You can also make a complaint at the place where the person works.

You can also contact the Australian Human Rights Commission to make a complaint.

You can call the Australian Human Rights Commission.

1300 656 419

You can also send them an email.

complaintsinfo@humanrights.gov.au

You can also have a conversation with the person who you experienced sexual harassment from.

And you could tell them to stop.

It is possible that they did not mean to make you uncomfortable.

But you should only have this conversation if:

• you feel safe and strong enough
• the conversation would not make you upset.

You can also read stories about other people’s experiences with sexual harassment.

You can ask your friends and family if they have had a problem like this before.

There are also groups that share their experiences with each other.

You can find these groups by:

• asking people in your life if they know any groups you could join
• searching online.

There is support that can help you when you feel ready.