The STOP! Harassment & Bullying Survey responds to the urgent need to understand the prevalence, extent and impact of harassment and bullying in the Australian built environment professions. It will collect robust data, identify patterns and understand the extent of the challenge. The survey will provide a foundation and catalyst for concerted, collective action.
Take the survey to tell your story and contribute to this important new evidence base.
The survey is organised in four parts:
- Demographic questions.
- Broad questions about the overall prevalence and impact of sexual harassment and bullying in the built environment professions – focussing on the last 5 years.
- The opportunity for you to tell us about specific experiences – from any time over your career.
- Questions about policies, processes and support in the workplace and profession.
This is an anonymous survey and answers will be treated with full confidentiality.
The survey is open to everyone active in architecture and the built environment professions, and those who have been in the past. You will be asked to provide insight and feedback on the topics through a series of questions. You can provide as much detail as you are comfortable with, and answer the questions most relevant to you. An outline of the areas covered in the survey can be found here.
We estimate that most people will complete the survey in 20–30 minutes; however, the time required will depend largely on what information and stories you would like to share. The survey closes COB Friday 22 November.
Before you start
- Please read the Explanatory Statement before deciding whether or not to participate in this research.
- Some questions may be triggering or confronting. Please make sure you are in a comfortable and safe location. Your wellbeing is our priority. If you find these topics difficult to engage with right now, we encourage you to take a break and return to the survey when you’re feeling more comfortable or emotionally prepared.
- Please protect your privacy. Use a personal password-protected device/computer to access the survey (a computer or tablet is more user-friendly than a phone).
- You will be able to change your responses up until the time you submit. If you take time away from the survey, keep the browser tab open to retain access.
- This is an anonymous survey. Please do not include information in your responses that identifies you or other individuals, groups, practices or organisations.
Support
Support is available from:
- 1800RESPECT 24/7 confidential counselling and support – 1800 737 732
- Lifeline 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention – 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue 24/7 confidential counselling – 1300 22 4636
- Mensline 24/7 confidential counselling and support for men – 1300 78 99 78
- 13YARN 24/7 culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – 13 92 76
- Mates in Construction 24/7 helpline for anyone in the construction industry, along with other support systems – 1300 642 111
Refer also to Harassment & Bullying Resources.
Note. This survey is not a reporting mechanism. Formal reports can be made by contacting the Fair Work Commission, the Australian Human Rights Commission, a state or territory anti-discrimination agency, a union or the police. We have collated information about reporting options here.
This survey is being conducted by Dr Gill Matthewson of Monash University and Parlour. It has received ethics approval from Monash University #44849. Primary supporters are the Australian Institute of Architects and ArchiTeam Cooperative. The survey is also supported by the Association of Consulting Architects, the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and the Planning Institute of Australia.
About the survey
Please read on for further information about STOP! Harassment & Bullying Survey. See also the FAQs below.
Who is conducting the research?
Survey analysis will be undertaken by Dr Gill Matthewson. Gill is a director of Parlour and a member of Monash University’s XYX Lab, which investigates gender and space through collaborative research projects aimed at mitigating gender inequity in Australia’s urban environments. She has extensive experience with data analysis pertaining to the built environment professions on sensitive topics.
Gill and the Parlour team will write a comprehensive report with the findings and Parlour will share this report widely, through discussion events, the website, newsletter and social media.
What is the motivation for the survey?
Parlour has been developing resources on sexual harassment and bullying for many years. Over the past decade we have had many people approach us with stories of harassment or bullying with harmful, often long-lasting impacts. Anecdotal evidence tells us that these behaviours present ongoing challenges in some parts of the built environment professions. But our ability to effect change is limited without data. This survey collects the necessary data and is a significant step in creating positive change.
Why is it important?
Recent research from the Australian Human Rights Commission (2022) tells us that in the last five years, one in three people have been sexually harassed at work – 41% of women and 26% of men. Each case of harassment can have devastating ongoing impacts on the person affected. In fact, two thirds (67%) of people sexually harassed in the workplace experience negative mental health impacts (71% of women and 59% of men). It is a serious problem with very serious impacts for individuals and practices alike.
The amendment to the Sex Discrimination Act in December 2022 places a positive duty of care on employers to prevent workplace sexual harassment, sex discrimination and victimisation. This means that employers must take proactive, positive action to prevent unlawful behaviours, rather than simply responding to complaints after something has happened.
The findings of this survey will help understand the current situation, and support the development of workplace cultures in which harassment, discrimination and bullying cannot gain a foothold.
Who is the Survey for?
The survey is open to all in the built environment professions:
- People who have experienced harassment or bullying behaviour (recent or historic)
- People who have witnessed harassment or bullying behaviour (recent or historic)
- People who haven’t seen or experienced harassment or bullying behaviour
- Women, men, gender-diverse people
- Students, graduates, practitioners – people of any age or career stage
- People working in architecture
- People working in other areas of the built environment or allied fields
- People working in academia
- People who have worked in the built environment professions in the past
- People working in other roles within built environment practices (such as admin, finance, marketing, etc)
- Australian citizens, residents, visa holders, international students, etc
What next?
The results of this survey will provide an essential evidence base. Parlour will consult with professional bodies, practices and individuals about next steps. We will facilitate key discussions about actions following the findings, and ask organisations to lead on creating positive change. We hope to collaborate on the development of additional initiatives and resources to help stamp out bullying and harassment within the built environment professions.
FAQs
Do you have more questions? Read on – click on the questions below to see the answers. We will add to this section over time as more questions come in.
Yes, if you have worked in the field in the past the survey is for you too. We want to hear your story. And we want to build up a comprehensive picture over time – every story helps build that picture.
The survey includes the opportunity to tell your story of up to three incidents. We suggest you choose the three that have had the most impact on you.
Yes! The survey includes sets of questions about broad prevalence as well as specific incidents. We would appreciate you answering the questions you are comfortable responding to.
Yes please. Your experience will also add to the picture.
Yes, please. We want to hear your story. And we want to build up a comprehensive picture over time – every story helps build that picture.
The survey steps you through a series of questions that will help you (and us) sort out what is going on.
We understand that these things are difficult. If you think it will be too triggering, please do not do the survey. Your safety is important. But, you can answer as many or as few of the questions as you are comfortable with. If it helps, sit with a supportive friend to complete the survey. There is a list of resources and support services here.
This isn’t the forum for ‘outing’ people. You will need to formally report – there is a list of places that you can report to here.
Yes! This survey is being conducted by experienced researchers under strict protocols. Access to the raw data will be restricted to the lead researcher, who will ‘clean’ the data prior to analysis. This will include removing any information that could identify individuals, practices and organisations. In some cases, text may be paraphrased to ensure absolute anonymity. Please refer to the Explanatory Statement for more detail.
The survey is absolutely anonymous. We ask you not to give information that might be identifying.
Refer to Parlour’s existing publications on harassment and bullying. This includes a resource roundup, directing readers to useful information elsewhere, opinion pieces, a guide to preventing and responding to harassment in the workplace and recordings of key discussions.
