Sexual Harassment Lawyers

Many people are uncertain about whether what happened to them is serious enough to take action. Sexual harassment can take many forms. It can occur between people of the same gender or different genders, and may involve a co-worker, manager, client, or any other person connected to the workplace. 

Further examples include:

• Unwanted sexual advances or requests for sexual favours.
• Inappropriate comments about a person’s body, appearance, or sex life.
• Sexual jokes or suggestive comments.
• Sharing sexually explicit images or messages.
• Intrusive questions about someone’s private life.
• Unwelcome touching or physical contact.
• Behaviour that creates a hostile or unsafe workplace environment.

A one-off incident can still constitute sexual harassment. It does not need to happen repeatedly for a person to have legal rights. In some cases, workplace sexual harassment may also involve conduct that constitutes sexual assault, which is a criminal matter and may require separate advice, including referral to police. 

If you believe you have been sexually harassed, our sexual harassment lawyers can help you understand whether your experience may give rise to a legal claim and what steps may be available.

Experiencing sexual harassment can leave you feeling uncertain about what to do next. You may be worried about making a formal complaint, the impact on workplace relationships, or how your employer may respond. Our workplace sexual harassment lawyers provide support throughout the legal process, including:

Understanding your legal options

We explain your rights and the options available based on your circumstances. This may include advice about making a sexual harassment complaint or raising concerns internally, pursuing an external complaint, or taking further legal action.

Reviewing your situation

Our lawyers carefully consider what happened, including the behaviour involved, the people affected, workplace policies, and the response of your employer. We help you understand whether the conduct may fall within workplace sexual harassment laws and what evidence may be relevant to your matter.

Providing legal representation

If you decide to proceed, our team can provide legal representation and guide you through negotiations, complaints processes, and, where necessary, the court process. We focus on achieving successful, trauma informed outcomes while ensuring you understand each stage of the process.

Employers have obligations under both Commonwealth sex discrimination law and Queensland discrimination and work health and safety law. These responsibilities include providing a safe workplace and taking reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment and workplace harassment. These obligations often sit alongside broader occupational health and safety requirements that apply to all Queensland employers.

The positive duty under Australian law requires organisations to take reasonable steps to eliminate sexual harassment, discrimination, and other unlawful conduct in the workplace. This is a legal obligation under the Sex Discrimination Act, and it’s designed to create real change by preventing unlawful behaviours before they occur, rather than simply responding after the fact. Where an employer fails to respond appropriately, they may be held liable in certain circumstances. Understanding your rights can help you make informed decisions about what happens next.

Deciding whether to make a formal complaint can be difficult. Many employees worry about workplace consequences, relationships with co-workers, or how their employer will react. A sexual harassment complaint may involve raising concerns with your employer, an external organisation, or through legal channels, depending on the circumstances.

Our employment law team can help you understand:

• Whether making a formal complaint is the right option for you.
• What information may support your complaint.
• How your employer should respond.
• Whether you may have a claim for financial compensation, including for lost income.
• Possible non-monetary outcomes, such as training for those involved, or a change to workplace policies
• What time limits may apply.

In some circumstances, pursuing sexual harassment claims may lead to outcomes beyond financial compensation alone. There is no single approach that applies to every situation. We provide advice based on your individual needs and help you understand your legal options.