Appendix C. Scope of this audit
| Who we audited | What we assessed | What the audit cost |
|---|---|---|
|
We assessed whether councils: |
Appendix B. Acronyms, abbreviations and glossary
| Acronyms | |
|---|---|
| AHRC | Australian Human Rights Commission |
| ALGWA | Australian Local Government Women's Association |
| CEO |
Appendix A. Submissions and comments
We have consulted with the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Ararat, Corangamite, Frankston, Latrobe and Moreland, and we considered their views when reaching our audit conclusions. As required by the Audit Act 1994, we gave a draft copy of this report, or relevant extracts, to those agencies and asked for their submissions and comments.
Responsibility for the accuracy, fairness and balance of those comments rests solely with the agency head.
4. Responding to sexual harassment
Conclusion
Councils do not always support and encourage staff to report their experiences of sexual harassment. Although they offer formal and informal complaint options, victims rarely use them.
When victims do speak out, councils do not always handle their complaints fairly or effectively. For instance, we found examples of councils excusing inappropriate behaviour when staff raised concerns about it. This reduces staff confidence in complaint handling and makes it challenging for victims to report their experiences.
3. Preventing sexual harassment
Conclusion
Councils are not doing enough to fulfil their positive duty to prevent sexual harassment. Although all audited councils have relevant policies and training, they are not comprehensive enough to be effective.
2. Prevalence of sexual harassment
Conclusion
Councils do not do enough to understand the prevalence and nature of sexual harassment in their workplaces.
We found that sexual harassment happens in every council, across all roles and levels. More than one in four respondents to our survey reported experiencing it in the last 12 months.
1. Audit context
Sexual harassment in the workplace is unlawful and can have significant negative effects on individuals and their employers. In some cases, sexual harassment is also a criminal offence.
The AHRC National Survey 2018 showed that sexual harassment is common in Australian workplaces. One in three people reported being sexually harassed at work in the past five years.
Appendix C. Scope of this audit
| Who we audited | What we assessed | What the audit cost |
|---|---|---|
|
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Parks Victoria Country Fire Authority Emergency Management Victoria Energy Safe Victoria City of Whittlesea East Gippsland Shire Council |
Appendix B. Acronyms, abbreviations and glossary
| Acronyms | |
|---|---|
| ACR | automatic circuit recloser |
| BAL | bushfire attack level |
| BMO | bushfire management overlay |
| BoM | Bureau of Meteorology |
| BP3 | Budget Paper 3 |
| BPA | bushfire prone ar |
Appendix A. Submissions and comments
We have consulted with CFA, DELWP, East Gippsland, EMV, ESV, PV, Murrindindi and Whittlesea, and we considered their views when reaching our audit conclusions. As required by the Audit Act 1994, we gave a draft copy of this report, or relevant extracts, to those agencies and asked for their submissions and comments.
Responsibility for the accuracy, fairness and balance of those comments rests solely with the agency head.