Sexual Harassment and Volunteers: Have your say

The law on sexual harassment is changing – from August 2011, volunteers will be covered under the Equal Opportunity Act, just like paid employees. The legislation change will impact on all volunteers and the organisations they work with.

The Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission is currently developing an education program to help volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations understand their rights and obligations under the law.

Volunteering Victoria is pleased to support this program, which addresses the recommendations we made to the VHREOC in 2010.

We encourage all stakeholders to help the VHREOC to develop effective and relevant resources by completing an online survey at humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/volunteersurvey

For further information visit Volunteering Victoria’s website for a fact sheet on the impacts of the new legislation and a sample policy for organisations.