IEUA Speaks on Gendered Harassment of women teachers in schools
6 November 2024
Urgent action needed to tackle harassment of women teachers
The recent Sexual Harassment of Teachers Report has found harmful sexual behaviours are increasing in Australian schools, and that women teachers often don’t feel safe at work.
The IEU calls for urgent action to end such harassment and we support the report’s six recommendations seeking immediate intervention from governments and school employers.
IEU members teach students across a diverse range of schools including co-education settings and single sex schools. Our members tell us they are experiencing increased incidences and types of verbal and physical attacks and intimidation, which experts confirm is fuelled by online anti-feminist activists operating in the ‘’manosphere”.
Highly publicised incidents involving male students are becoming increasingly common. The National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) reports that women teachers across all sectors are seeking greater support and professional development to counter sexual misbehaviours by male students.
New resources and training programs for non-government school teachers in Victoria are being rolled out to better equip teachers to support students navigating contemporary issues like consent, sextortion, pornography and gender-based bullying. The resources were designed by education experts in consultation with teachers, students and parents.
The national curriculum, along with many state education programs, now includes specific focus on consent and respectful relationships, making social media safer for students and making women’s lives safer. Hundreds of non-government schools have signed up to the Victorian government’s Respectful Relationships program. Non-government schools have until 8 November 2024 to become a Lead or Partner school at Apply To Become a Lead or Partner School.
Teaching resources and education programs are an important part of the solution, but school employers must also show clear leadership on these issues. Employers must take immediate and decisive action in response to any cases of harassment of school staff. There must be a policy of zero tolerance of harassing or worse behaviour in every workplace, and in every school.
Overworked teachers and school leaders will need more release time to fully engage with new curriculum materials, implement programs and participate in valuable professional development.
Our union will also be working with employers and governments to assess whether additional support is needed for girls. Disturbing reports have found teachers responding to multiple disclosures, including from primary aged girls, of harmful sexual behaviours directed at them.
Schools will play their part, but we need parents and the wider community, including sporting organisations, to call out bad behaviour and mentor positive role models for boys and young men.
