Section 1: Introduction There are many service providers that provide different forms of information and referral services including the Commission’s National Information Service (NIS), unions, working women’s centres, community legal centres and legal aid. The Commission recommends further investment in these existing services. The Workplace Sexual Harassment Council should assist with the development of guidelines and resources, to support the standardisation and enhancement of information and referral services provided to workers affected by sexual harassment. This is consistent with the Commission’s recommended new legal and regulatory model. Legal advice and advocacy The Commission heard that victims have difficulty navigating options for taking action on sexual harassment, whether in the workplace, with external agencies or through the courts.67 While there are services that provide assistance with navigating these challenges, such as community legal centres and legal aid commissions, the Commission commonly heard that high demand and limited resources make providing quality services increasingly difficult.68 Legal advice and representation should be available to all victims of sexual harassment navigating legal and external complaint processes, including those who do not have the means to pay lawyers’ fees. 38 Legal aid commissions and community legal centres should be adequately resourced to enable them to provide quality advice and representation in sexual harassment matters. Support to promote recovery The Commission heard repeatedly of the importance of timely access to specialist counselling for victims of sexual harassment.69 Australia currently has no free and widely available counselling service tailored to the needs of people affected by sexual harassment.70 Given the prominence and existing expertise of the 1800RESPECT hotline (the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling and information service), the Commission recommends the Australian Government ensure it is sufficiently funded and expanded to support sexual harassment victims. 1800RESPECT should also be resourced to collect de-identified data on the number of people who contact the service in relation to workplace sexual harassment. Victims who require support beyond what 1800RESPECT can offer should have access to a well-resourced national network of other relevant services including employee assistance programs (EAPs), sexual assault support services, mental health helplines, and healthcare providers with the expertise to respond appropriately to workplace sexual harassment.