Ms Jenkins said the results of the Australian Human Rights Commission's sexual harassment survey, which had 10,000 respondents, "confirm that these stories are not isolated".

"Sexual harassment in the workplace is widespread and pervasive."

Clients main harassers for women

The survey showed the number of women saying they have been sexually harassed in the past five years had doubled in the wake the #MeToo movement.

Details released on Wednesday showed women were more likely to be sexually harassed at work by clients than co-workers and through sexually suggestive comments and questions about their private life.

Ms Jenkins told the press club that despite assumptions things was getting better with time, sexual harassment "continues with impunity".

"We were told that the same person often harassed multiple people in the same workplace, which speaks to the impunity of people who sexually harass others in the workplace," she said.


"We were also told you were likely to be sexually harassed by a co-worker at your same level, however clients, customers and more senior co-workers and managers were also commonly named as harassers."

Sexually suggestive jokes top the list

The AHRC survey found the behaviours most often experienced in the workplace were the least likely to be reported.

Ms Jenkins told the press club that despite assumptions things was getting better with time, sexual harassment "continues with impunity". Alex Ellinghausen

Offensive and sexually suggestive comments and jokes topped the list for 25 per cent of women but only 10 per cent of these incidents were reported.

Intrusive questions about women's private life or physical appearance were the second most reported type of sexual harassment at 19 per cent, followed by "inappropriate staring or leering" at 16 per cent.

Physical forms of sexual harassment, including unwelcome hugging, cornering or kissing, accounted for 13 per cent of incidents.

One in 20 people, or 4 per cent, said they had experienced workplace sexual harassment online or via technology, including through explicit SMSs, emails or social media.


Minister for Women Kelly O'Dwyer said the increase in sexual harassment at work was "unacceptable". Alex Ellinghausen

But almost half who complained about harassment said nothing changed and almost one in five reported they were labelled a "trouble maker, were ostracised, victimised, or ignored by colleagues or resigned".

Most victims dealt with the matter themselves, including by confronting the offender and telling them to stop (52 per cent of women), avoiding the offender (20 per cent of women) or ignoring them (15 per cent).

Social events main site of harassment for media, finance

The survey found clients and customers were the main perpetrators of sexual harassment on women, with 22 per cent saying they were sexually harassed by a client compared to 21 per cent who identified a co-worker.

However, the relationship between harasser and victim varied across industries.

Kate Jenkins told the press club that despite assumptions things was getting better with time, sexual harassment "continues with impunity". Nic Walker

In retail, accommodation and food services, where external interactions are common, 30 per cent of people said their harasser was a client or customer.


But in information, media and telecommunications, which was the worst industry by far for sexual harassment, 41 per cent reported their harasser was a co-worker at the same level as them.

Overall, more than half of all sexual harassment occurred at work stations and less than a fifth happened at social events such as after-work drinks or functions.

But for media, financial and professional service sectors, harassment at work social events jumped to almost a third.

Dealing with men 'will be critical'

The survey was conducted after the emergence of the #MeToo movement late last year and followed prominent reports of sexual misconduct in the media and arts sectors.

Ms Jenkins said the impact of sexual harassment can be "devastating", causing stress and impacting self-esteem and employment.

She noted that four out of five harassers were men and that men were identified as the main perpetrator by both genders.

"This result suggests that engagement with men will be critical to preventing sexual harassment."

The AHRC survey increased its scope from 2,000 to 10,000 participants following additional funding from the government.

Minister for Women Kelly O'Dwyer said the increase in sexual harassment at work was "unacceptable".

"These results show that we need to keep working to change the culture of Australian workplaces. Women should feel safe at work, and in every other aspect of their lives."