Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

Sexual Harassment

As an employee or student of Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE, you are entitled to be treated with respect and to work and undertake work-related activities free of sexual harassment. Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE's policy on sexual harassment is zero tolerance. This policy is in place to help you and to help us ensure that Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE is and remains a sexual harassment free zone.

What is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.
A person sexually harasses another if: he or she makes an unwelcome sexual advance or unwelcome request for sexual favours to the person harassed or engages in unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in relation to the person harassed; and in circumstances in which a reasonable person having regard to all circumstances would have anticipated that the person harassed would be offended, humiliated or intimidated.

Conduct of a sexual nature includes the making of verbal and written statements.

Examples of Sexual Harassment include:

Unnecessary physical intimacy such as brushing up against a person;
Physical contact such as touching or fondling;
Sexual propositions or continued requests for dates;
Suggestive behaviour such as leering and ogling;
Sexual jokes, offensive telephone calls, photographs, reading matter or objects;
Comments about a person's sex life or physical appearance;
Indecent assault or rape (which are also criminal offences)

Sexual harassment can be physical, verbal or written. It can include words, pictures or statements which are transmitted by phone, fax, video conference, e-mail or the internet.

The policy applies to both males and females. The policy also covers your dealings and interaction with students. Mutual and consensual friendships and relationships within the workplace do not constitute sexual harassment.

Is it possible your behaviour could cause offence?

People have different perceptions of what is offensive. Conduct of a sexual nature which you might think is mild or trivial may be personally offensive to another person. Also, sexual harassment may be unintended. If you are not sure about your behaviour, or someone else's, talk it over with a Contact Officer.

What if Sexual Harassment happens to you?

The Institute has Contact Officers who have been trained to deal with your concerns and/or complaints. These officers will ensure that you receive an empathetic and confidential hearing The suggested approach is:

If you feel you can, let the harasser know that you object to their behaviour. Discuss the situation with a Contact Officer of your choice. The Contact Officer will advise you of your rights and explore possible strategies for resolving the issue.

You may make an informal or a formal complaint at any time. If you make a formal complaint, your complaint will be investigated, quickly and confidentially. All complaints will be taken seriously.

Victimisation of a person who has made, or may make, a complaint will not be tolerated as well as complaints which are fictitious or malicious. Sexual harassment at work and in the course of either providing or receiving education services is unlawful under both State and Commonwealth laws.

If you are sexually harassed you may make an external complaint to either the Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission or the Federal Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission under these laws.

Our Commitment

As a responsible employer, Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE is committed to:

providing a work environment free of sexual harassment and discrimination;
ensuring that in the event such issues arise, appropriate action will be taken quickly and in a confidential manner;
treating all claims of sexual harassment with the utmost seriousness;
ensuring that staff and students treat each other with respect and maintain appropriate standards of conduct;
implementing and communicating Institute Policy.