The injustice – often criminal, often fatal – men inflict on women is one of the most disconcerting issues. The contravention of universal values such as fairness, respect and the sanctity of fundamental rights, including the right to life, is astounding. It is a manifold disgrace, encompassing domestic violence (the leading preventable cause of illness and injury for women between the ages of 15 and 44), and workplace inequality including income disparities and lack of access to positions of power.

And, as demonstrated in an investigation published by The Age on Monday, it also includes harassment of female staff by male customers across a range of industries, including retailing, design, hospitality and healthcare. The online presentation of the comprehensive package by writer Gina McColl includes first-hand testimonies from women who suffer harassment from customers in part because of a view that deference, availability and friendliness are part of the job.

Have look at yourselves, fellas.

Far from being an acceptable part of anyone's job, such harassment is unlawful – on the part of the offending customers and the women's employers. This has been unambiguously the case since a change five years ago in the Sex Discrimination Act. But there has not been a discernible rise in complaints to the Human Rights Commission, and there has been nary a court case to test the law. This suggests a lack of knowledge in the community that such rights, responsibilities and mandatory protections exist.

We believe this can be remedied through education programs and other measures. First, employer organisations should ensure their members receive detailed briefings and information about their duty to protect their staff against harassment by customers and clients. Second, employees should be given training by employers and unions on how to respond to inappropriate behaviour by customers.