All ACT workplaces will be required to report incidents of sexual assault to WorkSafe ACT from tomorrow (Friday 9 June) under new mandatory reporting requirements.
Welcoming the commencement of the requirements, Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety, Mick Gentleman said the change strengthened the ACT’s commitment to eliminating sexual assault, sexual harassment and gender-based violence in all workplaces.
“Commencement of the mandatory reporting requirement is another step forward in ensuring our city is one where everyone can feel safe in their workplaces,” Mr Gentleman said.
“To protect the privacy of victims, employers when reporting must not give any information about the identity of a person involved,” he said.
“Reports made to WorkSafe ACT do not replace or interfere with reporting sexual assaults to the police and any police investigations.”
Work Health and Safety Commissioner Jacqueline Agius said reporting these serious incidents to WorkSafe ACT would provide the Regulator with a clear understanding of the priority industries it needed to target with compliance activities.
“I won’t accept that workplace sexual assault cannot be prevented,” Commissioner Agius said.
Mr Gentleman said Government was also working to introduce clearer guidance for businesses in understanding their duties when managing psychosocial risks and hazards at the workplace.
He said an ACT Code of Practice was expected to be in place in the Territory by the end of the year.
Further information about when to report sexual assault incidents and a dedicated online reporting tool can be access on the WorkSafe ACT website at this PS News link.
Sexual assault or violence support services can be accessed through Victim Support ACT by calling 1800 8222 72, Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525 and Lifeline on 13 11 14.
