About 63 percent of women MPs in Australia say they have been sexually harassed during their careers. That appears from a study published on Tuesday of the Human Rights Commission in Australia. In addition, one in three members of parliamentarians has experienced bullying, sexual intimidation or attempted assault. More than 1,700 respondents were questioned for the study, including parliamentarians and (former) parliamentarians.
An anonymous victim describes a culture that tolerated being “kissed on the lips,” “patted on the bottom,” and “lifted up” by male victims. She also had to deal with other inappropriate physical contact. Others speak of sexually explicit comments in the workplace and via email, text message or social media. Some of the respondents stated that they felt pressure to engage in sexual acts.
Also read: Bumbling, Australian Prime Minister Morrison fights against sexism
The investigation was prompted by the revelation of Brittany Higgins, a former employee of the former Secretary of Defense Linda Reynolds. Higgins said in February at the age of 24 that he was raped by a colleague in the minister’s office after a night out. When she informed Reynolds of this, she was left with the feeling that she had to choose between joining the police force and her career in the ministry.
protests
Higgins’ feeling turned out to be broader: after her story, dozens of other (former) female government employees shared experiences of sexual abuse or intimidation within Australian politics. It sparked nationwide protests against Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrisson. In March, some 10,000 Australians took to the streets to protest misogyny, sexism and harassment in the workplace. According to critics, Morrisson reacted hesitantly and bumbling to the stories of sexual misconduct.
The prime minister called the results of the recently published study “appalling”. The researchers have made recommendations to bring about a culture change: for example, less alcohol should be consumed and more account should be taken of a more equal division between men and women in the workplace.
#percent #female #MPs #Australia #sexually #harassed