Sexual Cyber Harassment

Sexual cyber harassment covers unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature carried out digitally. Explicit messages, unsolicited images, sexual comments in a group chat, or sharing intimate images without consent.

The last of those, image-based abuse, sits in its own category. Sharing or threatening to share an intimate image without consent is separately unlawful in Australia and the eSafety Commissioner can require removal. Treating it purely as a workplace conduct matter understates it considerably.

Within employment, this conduct also engages the positive duty. Employers must take reasonable and proportionate measures to prevent sexual harassment, and digital channels are part of that. A prevention programme that addresses only face-to-face conduct leaves the channel where most of it now happens uncovered.

Support is available, and reporting to police is an option at any point.

The Australian Human Rights Commission sets out the positive duty. This is general information rather than legal advice, and obligations vary by state and territory.

See Sentrient’s sexual harassment course and internet and social media course.