Legal & Support Options

What are my legal options, if I have experience workplace violence? Where can I go to get support? There are many legal and support options available to you, if you have experienced workplace violence. Workplace violence is against the law and many groups are working to educate the community and limit its occurrence. If you have experienced workplace violence, it is important that you find legal and support services to help you.

Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) website

http://www.airc.gov.au

The Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) is a national tribunal dealing with employment issues, including dispute settlement, unfair dismissal and the setting of wages and conditions.

Organisation: Australian Industrial Relations Commission

Bullying and occupational violence

http://www.business.vic.gov.au/BUSVIC.131224/STANDARD//PC_60943.html

Workplace bullying and violence can have serious effects on all members of the workplace. Industrial Relations Victoria explains that employees not only have rights to protect them from workplace bullying and violence, but they also have responsibilities not to commit these acts. This webpage explains which behaviours may be considered bullying and discusses reasons why employees might not report workplace bullying or violence and what employers can do to improve reporting. 

Organisation: Industrial Relations Victoria

Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) services

http://www.rwh.org.au/casa/services.cfm?doc_id=3026

Have you been sexually assaulted or harassed at work? Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) is a government funded organisation committed to ensuring that the silence which surrounds sexual assault continues to be broken. This webpage provides an overview of the support services available if you have experienced sexual assault or harassment.

Organisation: Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) / Royal Women's Hospital

Disability Employment Action Centre (DEAC) - legal help for women with disabilities

http://www.deac.org.au/legal.html

Disability Employment Action Centre (DEAC) provides legal services for people with a disability who have been discriminated against in employment, education and training.

Organisation: Disability Employment Action Centre (DEAC)

Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre (DVIRC) website

http://www.dvirc.org.au/

The Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre (DVIRC) is a Victorian statewide service. Its aim is to reduce and prevent family violence by providing helpful information to support people who have experienced abuse, and by providing advocacy and education to improve service and policy.

Organisation: Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre (DVIRC)

Equal Opportunity Commission of Victoria (EOC) website

http://www.equalopportunitycommission.vic.gov.au/default.asp

The Equal Opportunity Commission of Victoria's website has links to information about discrimination, including sex discrimination, and sexual harassment. It also offers an online enquiry service where you can post questions and have them answered online.

Organisation: Equal Opportunity Commission - Victoria

Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria (FCLCV)

http://www.communitylaw.org.au/

The Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria (FCLCV) provides free legal information and advice to more than 60,000 Victorians every year. Through FCLCV's website, you can make inquiries, find your local community legal centre and find help with legal problems.

Organisation: Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria (FCLCV)

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) website

http://www.hreoc.gov.au/

It is your right to have a workplace free from all types of discrimination. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) works to ensure that Australian workers' rights are upheld and their workplaces are free from discrimination. Its website links to information about many types of discrimination, including sexual harassment. It also links to human rights information.

Organisation: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

JobWatch website

http://www.job-watch.org.au

JobWatch provides free and confidential telephone advice and referral information about employment issues including workplace violence.

Organisation: Job Watch

Law Institute of Victoria online legal referral service

http://www.liv.asn.au/directory/firmsref/

This online legal referral service provides free referrals to legal practices around Victoria. All referrals are to Law Institute of Victoria members who practice in specific areas of law.

Organisation: Law Institute of Victoria

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service

http://www.vals.org.au/legal/legal.htm

The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) was established as a community owned and controlled co-operative society in 1973. VALS plays an important role in providing legal aid and assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and maintains a strong client service focus.

Organisation: Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service

Working Women's Health website

http://www.workingwomenshealth.asn.au

Working Women's Health (WWH) is an immigrant women's organisation committed to improving the health and wellbeing of immigrant women working in paid and unpaid employment across Australia.

Women Centred: Yes
Organisation: Working Women's Health (WWH)

Workplace violence and bullying - your rights, what to do, and where to go for help

http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/dir090/vwa/publica.nsf/docsbyUNID/A541B817D1976A82CA257...

This guide on workplace violence and bullying provides information on your rights and what to do if you are experience workplace violence. I

Resource Type: PDF (771 KB)
Organisation: WorkSafe Victoria

Youth rights at work

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=186&languageId=1&contentI...

No matter what age you are, you have rights at work, including the right to a workplace free from violence. Sadly, workplace violence is more common than most people realise. This Office of Youth webpage provides information on what workplace violence is, what your rights are and what you can do if you are experiencing workplace violence.

Organisation: Office for Youth