Retailers affirm commitment to protect child workers from sexual harassment
Retailers across Australia have reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding young workers following a new report highlighting the ongoing risks of sexual harassment in the workplace.
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said in a statement that sexual harassment has "no place in society or the retail industry."
"The ARA and its members stand firm in our commitment to tackling this issue head-on and ensuring a safe, respectful environment for every worker, regardless of age, gender, or background," said ARA chief industry affairs officer Fleur Brown in a statement.
Brown issued the remarks after a new report from the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association and the Mikell Institute unveiled that many young workers in Australia are exposed to unnecessary risks at work, including sexual harassment.
The research revealed that there are over 500,000 workers aged 17 or under in the labour market, with a higher employment share in industries such as accommodation and food services, retail trade, and arts and recreation services.
"Children are disproportionately vulnerable to sexual, physical, and mental abuse in Australian workplaces," the report said.
Citing data from the Australian Human Rights Commission, the report said 47% of workers aged between 15 and 17 have experienced some form of sexual harassment in the workplace in the past five years.
These young people may also feel "disincentivised" to report cases of abuse for a variety of reasons, according to the report.
"These may include an unfamiliarity with their rights; concerns over their job security if they report abuse, especially if that abuse is inflicted by a superior; or worries over navigating the criminal justice system," the report said.
To protect children from the risks in the workplace, the report outlined three primary recommendations:
The report urged all states and territories to replicate South Australia's reforms, which prohibit any convicted child sex offender from seeking and obtaining employment alongside children.
Brown said they support the push for consistent laws across Australian states and territories, the need for clarity around reporting requirements, and the prohibition on sexual offenders from working with children.
"However, some of the details of the recommendations will also need to be closely examined to ensure they are practical and effective," she said.
Fleur added they are now discussing the report with their members: "A collaborative approach is essential, involving government, industry, unions, and other key stakeholders."
Lindsay Carroll, interim CEO at the National Retail Association, agreed on the collaborative approach needed to curb all forms of sexual harassment in the sector.
"Retailers alone cannot address the issue of sexual harassment," Carroll said in a statement.
"Government intervention is essential in this space to ensure that protections for workers are implemented in a way that is effective and sustainable for employers."
The sexual harassment in Australia's industry has been previously called out as "pervasive," with 48% women and 25% of men experiencing it work.
A recent report from Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS) also revealed that structural inequalities in the retail sector worsen the impact of sexual harassment and other forms of abuse and exploitation against migrant workers.
Brown said they are working closely with the ANROWS team to help engage members and provide platforms to share the report.
"The ARA remains steadfast in its commitment to working alongside all partners to eradicate sexual harassment in the retail industry and welcomes further discussions that will lead to permanent change," Brown said.
