2021 Roundtable on Sexual Harassment | SAGE

The National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces found that sexual harassment is still rife in Australian workplaces, and the higher education and research (HER) sector is no exception. The resulting Respect@Work report (2020) highlighted that performance incentives, such as the SAGE Athena Swan Awards, can help create a respectful workplace culture that discourages sexual harassment.

Seizing this opportunity to drive urgent, sector-wide action against sexual harassment, SAGE collaborated with Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins to convene a Roundtable on Sexual Harassment.

The Roundtable’s purpose was to advise SAGE on a practical, collaborative approach to incorporate Respect@Work’s recommendations in the SAGE accreditation pathways.

Co-hosted by Libby Lyons (Director, Workplace Gender Equality Agency and Chair of SAGE Ltd Board) and Commissioner Jenkins, the Roundtable brought together senior leaders, advocates and stakeholders from across the HER sector.

Read more about the Roundtable and our work on sexual harassment

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Roundtable outcomes and next steps

View a one-page summary of SAGE’s planned approach to preventing and responding to sexual harassment, as informed by the key points raised at the Roundtable.

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Roundtable briefing paper

See how the SAGE Athena Swan framework maps against current best practice and legislative reporting requirements.

Related resources

University of Melbourne earns Cygnet Award for addressing sexual misconduct

The university made progress on improving transparency and accountability in the way they prevent and respond to sexual misconduct.

Cygnet Award application (sexual misconduct) – University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne increased transparency, consistency and accountability in the way they address sexual misconduct.

Preventing and responding to sexism and sexual harassment at Aurecon

Hear about Aurecon’s behavioural change campaign to move employees to take bystander action against sexism and sexual harassment.

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