Media Release: Funding to support people who have experienced workplace sexual harassment in the mining industry

The State Government will provide $335,000 in funding over 12 months to Circle Green Community Legal to support WA mining industry workers affected by workplace sexual harassment and discrimination.

The State Government will provide $335,000 in funding over 12 months to Circle Green Community Legal to support WA mining industry workers affected by workplace sexual harassment and discrimination.

The funds will be used to provide a triage service with legal pathway options for workers who have experienced sexual harassment and discrimination, and a social support service.

Circle Green today welcomes this funding announcement as part of the State Government’s Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) program, which aims to strengthen responses to sexual harassment and discrimination in the mining industry.

Circle Green CEO Sara Kane said: “We commend the State Government’s commitment to addressing sexual harassment and discrimination against women in the WA mining industry. This is a very welcome step. Moving forward, we hope to see a commitment to sustainable, ongoing funding for this endemic issue.”

“Workplace sexual harassment and discrimination issues are widespread across all industries. Circle Green works holistically to support victims of sexual harassment and discrimination by providing legal and social support services.”

“This additional funding will allow us to expand these services to provide workers in the mining industry with a dedicated trauma-informed service to discuss their experiences with workplace sexual harassment, and receive legal information and referrals to legal, social, and government services from early 2023.”

About Circle Green

Circle Green Community Legal is the only community legal centre in WA with a specialist workplace law practice providing state-wide workplace law services to vulnerable and disadvantaged WA workers.

We are the lead agency for the Workplace Respect Project, a Commonwealth Government-funded response to the Respect@Work Report.

Our team of experienced practitioners deliver legal assistance across various employment and workplace discrimination laws and jurisdictions to help WA workers across all industries address workplace discrimination and sexual harassment.

We continue to provide free employment law advice, case work, advocacy, education, and social support services for vulnerable and disadvantaged victims of workplace sexual harassment.

We encourage WA workers with concerns about their workplace rights, including those who have experienced workplace sexual harassment and discrimination, to request advice from our Workplace service. Call (08) 6148 3636 or complete our online form. 

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

Sara Kane, Circle Green CEO and Elisha Butt, Circle Green Principal Lawyer – Workplace are available for comment. Contact Rosie Mayers, Communications Coordinator: rosie.mayers@circlegreen.org.au, (08) 6148 3653.