Section 2: The current context for this Inquiry Research has indicated that online anonymity can act as ‘a catalyst for disinhibition’, meaning that people are more willing to express views and engage in types of behaviour online than they would in face-to-face interactions offline.78 Sexual harassment involving the use of technology is discussed in more detail in Section 3.3(a), ‘Types of behaviours’. 2.5 Increasing transparency around sexual harassment #MeToo and similar movements have shown us that no country or organization is immune to the occurrence of sexual harassment. It can happen to anyone and it can happen anywhere.79 Section 5 discusses the impact of nondisclosure agreements and defamation laws on victims’ willingness to report sexual harassment, which has discouraged public discussion of allegations. The Commission heard from victims of workplace sexual harassment who felt silenced because of non-disclosure agreements or confidentiality clauses in settlement agreements: All the while going through this heinous process, I had no voice. I was silenced. I couldn’t [because of my NDA] speak to friends, current and present. I had, and still have, no social media participation … I cannot, without severe implications, tell my story to either assist my healing or to help other survivors.80 78 However, recent years have seen an increased willingness among victims to share their experiences publicly through traditional and social media. This increased transparency has had a significant impact on both public awareness of the issue and the willingness of employers to respond to allegations. This section considers the impact of media reporting and the use of social media, including global campaigns, in creating greater transparency around sexual harassment. This increased appetite for transparency reinforces the need to consider new approaches to respond to sexual harassment. (a) Media reporting Media reporting has played an important role in raising public awareness of sexual harassment and amplifying the voices of victims who share their stories. Media reports involving prominent public figures across entertainment, politics, sport and business have reinforced both the prevalence and impact of sexual harassment across a range of sectors. In 2017, TIME magazine’s Person of the Year was ‘The Silence Breakers’, representing those people who came forward and spoke up about sexual harassment and assault as part of the #MeToo movement.81 In 2018, the New York Times was awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for public service for their reporting on sexual harassment.82