Sexual Harassment and Volunteers: Information Pack

Volunteering Victoria has produced an information pack to help volunteers and organisations to understand and meet their responsibilities under new legislation which includes important changes to the way sexual harassment law applies to volunteers.

The revised Equal Opportunity Act 2010 will commence on August 1st, and includes legislation designed to improve the way discrimination and sexual harassment is combated in Victoria.

Volunteering Victoria says for volunteers, the change will mean new protections against sexual harassment, and for organisations there will be some practical implications for the way volunteering is coordinated.

The new laws bring sexual harassment laws regarding volunteers in line with that of paid employees. The EOA pack says that in the past, sexual harassment laws did not apply in volunteering situations – however this will change on August 1st.

Volunteering Victoria has produced a EOA Information Pack, to help volunteers and organisations understand what these changes mean. The EOA pack includes:

• A fact sheet and further reading
• An adaptable policy and procedures
• Tips for getting started
• Options for further advice and training

Download the EOA Information Pack here http://www.volunteeringvictoria.org.au/publications/doc_view/335-eoa-information-pack or visit the Volunteering Victoria website for more information – http://www.volunteeringvictoria.org.au/index.php