The Western Australian Government has launched two anti-harassment programs to support victims of sexual harassment in the workplace, create a safe working environment and highlight that harassment is not tolerated within the Western Australia resources sector.
The SPEAK UP, REPORT IT campaign is one of the many actions the State Government is taking to tackle workplace sexual harassment, reinforcing the message that harassment and bullying in the sector is unacceptable.
The campaign will remind senior executives, mine operators and workers of their individual responsibility to report workplace sexual harassment and other inappropriate behaviours towards women to WorkSafe.
The campaign was established in response to the recommendations from the Parliamentary Inquiry into the fly-in, fly-out mining industry.
WorkSafe Western Australia’s 24/7 hotline, where callers can remain anonymous, has also been bolstered for victims and bystanders of workplace harassment or bullying.
The WorkSafe number, which is also used for reporting other mine safety issues, has two additional staff members to triage incoming calls. WorkSafe has also delivered specialised training to ensure that the service is provided in a trauma-informed manner.
Western Australia’s Industrial Relations Minister, Bill Johnston said that the campaign is an example of the State Government’s ongoing commitment to promote workplace cultures that support inclusivity, respect and safety.
“We all have a responsibility to speak out against sexual harassment and other unacceptable workplace behaviours,” Mr Johnston said.
“It is vital there is a clear point of contact for those that experience sexual harassment at work. Sexual harassment is a work health and safety issues and we must confront it.
“This campaign is one of the wide-ranging actions we are taking to remind mine operators of their mandatory workplace reporting obligations.”
State Minister for Women’s Interests, Sue Ellery, said “everyone has a right to feel safe at work”.
“Workplace sexual harassment is not a women’s issue – it is a societal issues that all organisations, employers and individuals have a responsibility to address.
“The program is one of many initiatives being undertaken by the Cook Government that demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the Western Australian resource sector offers a safe and empowering workplace for all staff,” Ms Ellery said.
The SPEAK UP, REPORT IT campaign launch coincides with the launch of another initiative – The Respect in Mining program. Based on the principles of the Department of Communities’ Respectful Relationships program and is an initiative under the Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety program.
The aim of the program includes increasing the awareness and knowledge of the impact of gender inequality on women’s safety and the impact of gendered division in leadership within the resource sector.
Mining company, Gold Fields Australia will participate in a 12-month pilot of the program across its operations in Western Australia, scheduled to begin in 2024, with tools and resources that will be used throughout the pilot researched and developed by Curtin University’s Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health.
