Section 1: Introduction 1.1 Executive Summary (a) The National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces Workplace sexual harassment is prevalent and pervasive: it occurs in every industry, in every location and at every level, in Australian workplaces. Australians, across the country, are suffering the financial, social, emotional, physical and psychological harm associated with sexual harassment. This is particularly so for women. This behaviour also represents a very real financial impost to the economy through lost productivity, staff turnover and other associated impacts. In June 2018, against the backdrop of the momentum of the #MeToo movement and recognition of the prevalence of, and immense harm caused by sexual harassment in Australian, and global, workplaces, the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, and the then Minister for Women, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer, announced the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces (Inquiry). As Australia’s national human rights institution, the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) was tasked with undertaking this Inquiry. The Commission has an established record of undertaking initiatives aimed at addressing sexual harassment and promoting gender equality. In the Terms of Reference, the Commission’s task was to review and report on workplace sexual harassment and make recommendations in relation to: • its prevalence, nature and reporting in Australian workplaces • the role of technology • its drivers, including risk factors for particular population groups or in different workplace settings Respect@Work: National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces • 2020 • 13