QPS expects all workers, staff, clients and suppliers to contribute to a respectful working environment. This resource explains what sexual harassment can look like, how to intervene safely and how to report concerns.
What sexual harassment means
Sexual harassment is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. It may be verbal, non-verbal, physical, written or digital. It does not need to be motivated by sexual desire; the key issue is whether the conduct is unwanted and sexual in nature, and whether it violates dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
Examples
- Sexual jokes, comments or gestures.
- Comments about someone’s body, appearance or private life.
- Unwanted touching, hugging, massaging or kissing.
- Sexual messages, images or social media contact.
- Repeated invitations after someone has said no.
- Displaying sexually explicit material.
- Treating someone less favourably because they rejected sexual attention.
Bystander responsibilities
If you witness sexual harassment, do not assume it is someone else’s responsibility. Support the affected person, challenge the behaviour if it is safe to do so, distract or interrupt the situation where appropriate, and report the concern
Reporting concerns
Report concerns to QPS as soon as possible. If the issue occurs on a client site, at a work-related event, in accommodation, during travel or through digital communication, it can still be work-related and should be reported.
QPS commitment
QPS will take reports seriously, protect confidentiality as far as possible, and take proportionate action. Retaliation against someone who raises or supports a genuine concern will not be tolerated.
