‘Predatory,’ widespread sexual harassment on Australia’s Antarctic research bases, report finds
CNN
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A recently published report found Australian women working at research facilities in Antarctica were plagued by a pervasive culture of sexual harassment.
The report commissioned by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) notes that women who reported unwelcome requests for sex, inappropriate sexual comments and displaying objectionable material or erotic.
The report said: “Due to the underrepresentation of women in the AAP (Australian Antarctic Program) (especially during winter), some women also describe the culture as ‘predatory’ and counterproductive. opposing,” the report said, while other participants described homophobic culture on the stations.
The report, carried out by associate professor Meredith Nash from the University of Tasmania, also revealed female explorers felt they “had to work very hard to make menstruation invisible” and underwent “physical and psychological labor”. supplements to manage” menstruation, including changing menstrual products without adequate privacy or hygiene.
Australia’s Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek said in an interview with Australian public broadcaster ABC she was “deeply delighted” when she read the report.
“Let me be absolutely clear: there is no place for sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior in any workplace,” Plibersek said in a statement Thursday, calling the treatment described. reported as “unacceptable”.
The report makes recommendations on how to change the culture at stations, including the creation of an “equity and inclusion task force”.
Plibersek said Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water is working through the recommendations.
Australia is not alone in combating these problems.
The report on Australian research facilities in Antarctica comes a month after the US National Science Foundation (NSF) released a review of the US Antarctic Program that found “sexual harassment , ongoing stalking and sexual assault, continues to be a problem in the USAP community. ”
