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Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is unwelcome physical, verbal or written behaviour of a sexual nature. Unwelcome behaviour means that you did not invite the conduct. Sexual harassment is also behaviour that offends, humiliates, intimidates or undermines you. It can be a single incident, or repeated behaviour. It can include:

  • comments
  • emails or social media like 'facebook'
  • suggestive behaviour
  • physical acts, such as deliberately brushing up against someone.

When is sexual harassment against the law?

Sexual harassment is unlawful when it occurs in certain areas of public life. 'Public life' includes:

  • at work
  • working as a volunteer
  • at school
  • in shops
  • at public venues, such as pubs
  • activities you participate in, such as sports.

Complaints about sexual harassment

If you can’t resolve a sexual harassment issue directly with the person involved, you can make a complaint to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) or the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).

If you are being harassed at work, it is your employer's responsibility to do everything reasonable to make your workplace free from sexual harassment.

It is also unlawful for you to be victimised because you have made a complaint about sexual harassment. See 'Victimisation' (link below).

More information

Victimisation

Related websites

AHRC – about sex discrimination

VEOHRC – sexual harassment

How we can help

Call Victoria Legal Aid’s (VLA) Legal Information Service for free information over the phone about the law and how we can help you with your legal problem. You can speak to a legal information officer in English or ask for an interpreter. Phone (03) 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers), Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm.

VLA's other free legal services include:

  • advice at VLA offices and other locations across Victoria
  • clinics for anti-discrimination matters.

For some matters we can provide you with a lawyer to help you run your case.

To find out more about any of our legal services see What we do.

Who else can help?

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission administers Victoria’s discrimination laws.

The Complaints Advice Line can give you information and advice about making a discrimination complaint. Contact them on 1300 292 153, weekdays 9 am to 5 pm or by emailing enquiries@veohrc.vic.gov.au. Alternatively you can fill in the Online complaint form. 

Australian Human Rights Commission

The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) administers Commonwealth discrimination laws.

AHRC’s Complaints Infoline can give you advice about making a discrimination complaint under Commonwealth law. Contact the infoline on 1300 656 419 (TTY: 1800 620 241) or email complaintsinfo@humanrights.gov.au.