Sexual assault and sexual harassment information for the resources industry

Sexual assault or sexual harassment in any form is unacceptable and must not be tolerated anywhere, including in our workplaces. Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ) works with industry to manage the risks of psychosocial hazards, including sexual assault, as part of our responsibilities to worker safety and health.

Making a complaint to RSHQ

If you are in immediate danger or your health and wellbeing is being threatened, contact the police on triple zero (phone 000).

If you have been affected by or witnessed sexual assault or sexual harassment at a Queensland mine, quarry, or petroleum or gas operation, you can contact RSHQ to make a complaint.

RSHQ has a dedicated phone number for complaints of this nature and complaints can be made anonymously.

To make a complaint:

• phone 1300 581 077 between 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
• or
• complete the complaint form (PDF, 300KB) and email the completed form to complaints@rshq.qld.gov.au.

Industry notifications to RSHQ

To notify RSHQ of a sexual assault or sexual harassment incident(s) or to ask if RSHQ should be notified of a particular incident, contact 1300 581 077 or email complaints@rshq.qld.gov.au.

Defining sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is a psychosocial hazard that includes any unwelcome sexual advance, unwelcome request for sexual favours or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in circumstances where a reasonable person, having regard to all the circumstances, would anticipate the possibility that the person harassed would be offended, humiliated or intimidated.

Behaviours that may indicate sexual harassment are not always obvious, repeated or continuous and may include:

• unwelcome touching or physical contact, including hugging, cornering and kissing
• suggestive comments or jokes, insults or taunts
• unwanted invitations to go on dates or requests for sex in person and/or online
• sending or displaying sexually offensive pictures or posters
• sending sexually explicit emails, text messages or online interactions such as social media posts.

Sexual harassment can occur in any work location or accommodation, at work-related events, or by phone, email or online.

Read more about sexual harassment from the Queensland Human Rights Commission.

Advice and support for workers

Contact these support services about sexual assault or harassment in the workplace:

• Queensland Government – Sexual abuse and assault: getting help
• 1800RESPECT – National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service – Phone 1800 737 732 or you can chat online
• Queensland Police Service – Support services and information and information on adult sexual assault
• Workers' Psychological Support Service (WPSS) – free and independent support service for Queensland workers experiencing a work-related psychological injury. Phone WPSS on 1800 370 732 or email info@wpss.org.au
• Australian Government – Respect@Work.

The following organisations provide advice and assistance:

• Workplace Health and Safety Queensland can be contacted about complaints related to off-site workplaces.
• The Queensland Human Rights Commission can conciliate sexual harassment complaints, and other forms of harassment or discrimination covered by anti-discrimination laws.
• The Fair Work Commission has information for workers who may have experienced sexual harassment, and how to apply for orders to have sexual harassment stopped.

Managing the risk of workplace sexual harassment

Queensland's resources safety and health legislation requires obligation holders to manage the risk of workers suffering an injury or illness, including physical and psychological health harms from sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment is also against the law and is prohibited under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld), and employers may be held legally responsible for sexual harassment in the workplace by their employees unless reasonable steps are taken to prevent it from happening.

The following guidance material and information is available to help manage the risks sexual harassment in the workplace:

• Safe Work Australia – Workplace sexual harassment
• Minerals Council of Australia – Respect@Work toolkit
• Queensland Human Rights Commission – Employers' toolkit (PDF, 1.45MB)
• Australian Government – Respect@Work.

Also consider…

• Read more about managing psychosocial hazards in Queensland's resources industries.