What Is Unwelcome Sexual Conduct
What is unwelcome sexual conduct, in terms of actual behaviour? The category is wider than physical contact, and several items on it are routinely treated as banter.
- Comments about a person’s body, appearance or sex life.
- Sexual jokes, innuendo or repeated suggestive remarks.
- Staring, leering or intrusive questions.
- Displaying or sending sexual images, including memes in a group chat.
- Requests for dates or sex, particularly repeated ones after a refusal.
- Unnecessary physical contact, including contact framed as friendly.
- Sexually explicit messages, emails or posts about a colleague.
The pattern worth noticing is that most of this leaves a record. Messages, images and posts are recoverable long after the event, which is a large part of why digital conduct features so heavily in the matters that end up being substantiated.
The Australian Human Rights Commission explains the legal test. This is general information rather than legal advice.
See Sentrient’s sexual harassment course and sexual harassment articles.
What Is Unwelcome Sexual Conduct?
Unwelcome sexual conduct refers to any unwanted or uninvited sexual behaviour that makes someone feel uncomfortable or unsafe. This can include a wide range of behaviours, from verbal comments to physical touch, and can occur in any setting, including the workplace, school, or social gatherings. Examples of unwelcome sexual conduct include, but are not limited […]
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