(iii) Conversation Toolkit
The Commission prepared a ‘Conversation
Toolkit’ to provide practical guidance for
individuals and groups in workplaces or
communities on how to have a structured
conversation around issues surrounding
sexual harassment in the workplace for
the purpose of providing input into the
Inquiry.73 The toolkit had the benefit of
assisting the Commission to reach people
who may have otherwise been unable to
participate in face-to-face consultations
and facilitate their input into the Inquiry.
The Commission received 53 submissions
indicating that the toolkit was used in
preparing the submission.
Inquiry consultations were held in the
following locations:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Adelaide
Albury–Wodonga
Brisbane
Canberra
Darwin
Geraldton
Hobart
Melbourne
Newcastle
Perth
Sydney (including Parramatta
and Ashfield)
• Townsville (via videolink from
Brisbane).
The Commission consulted extensively
with the following key stakeholder groups:
(iv) Consultations
The Commission conducted 60 group
consultations as part of the Inquiry. More
than 600 individuals participated in these
consultations which were held in 12
locations around Australia (including all
capital cities and some regional centres)
between September 2018 and May 2019.
Locations for the regional consultations
were identified based on a range of
criteria, including demographic and
industry data, geographic spread and
learnings from previous Commission
inquiries.
The Commission made every attempt to
ensure that all consultation venues were
as accessible as possible. This included
hearing loop facilities and facilities that
allowed for remote participation.
• people who had experienced
workplace sexual harassment
(including their family or support
networks) and other individuals
including co-workers, bystanders
and people who had been the
subject of allegations
• unions and other organisations
that work with people affected
by workplace sexual harassment
(including peak bodies, advocacy
organisations, community groups
and organisations in the human
rights, justice and legal sectors)
• employers and business
representatives (including
industry and professional bodies
and peak bodies)
• academics, legal and policy
experts and specialists
Respect@Work: National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces • 2020 • 57