Section 2: The current context for this Inquiry Section 3.8, ‘Impacts of sexual harassment in the workplace’, provides a more detailed discussion of this economic analysis. While the costs to Australia are substantial, the Commission notes that these estimates likely represent only a fraction of the actual cost of workplace sexual harassment borne by victims and workplaces and affecting the broader Australian economy. Improving transparency around the prevalence and cost of sexual harassment is an important aspect of Australia’s response to the issue. Quantifying this cost will assist governments and the private sector in scoping the extent of the problem and formulating an appropriate response. This will also reinforce to employers the importance of taking action. Combined with the information gathered by the Commission through its national surveys, future economic modelling will help create a comprehensive understanding of the nature, extent and impacts of sexual harassment in Australia. This report recommends more detailed and robust data collection to assist in future estimates of the cost of sexual harassment, as well as the benefits of a healthy and safe work environment. 2.7 A global response to sexual harassment 2017 and 2018 have seen a surge in public concern regarding sexual harassment. The global #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, championed in part by high-profile screen industry figures, have energised a cultural shift which has inspired a number of actions in Australia. Around the world, women and men are speaking up about experiences of sexual violence and harassment, and calling for fairness and safety in the workplace.110 International concern over sexual harassment in the workplace is not new.111 Despite international standards guiding national legislation and policy efforts over many years to address sexual harassment, it remains a common and widespread problem. As noted above in Section 2.5, the #MeToo movement exposed the extent to which sexual harassment pervades work and put sexual harassment on the global agenda. Public reports of sexual misconduct in the United Nations (UN) system and the aid sector showed the world that no institution, no sector and no country is immune.112 Global civil society movements called for real change. A number of governments and organisations have since commissioned reports into workplace sexual harassment, as well as other forms of harassment, abuse and discrimination.113 There is growing awareness that a new approach is needed to address sexual harassment and create the change to make harassmentfree workplaces. 82