Following the release of the national Writing Themselves in 3 report detailing the devastating effects of homophobic bullying on students across Australia and in particular Western Australia, the Commission formed a steering committee of representatives from education and health organisations as well as gender and sexuality diverse advocacy groups. The steering committee has agreed to draft specific sexuality and gender based bullying materials that can be used by all primary and secondary schools in WA to develop school based policies. Substantive equality The work of the Substantive Equality Unit has focused on the development of a procedure for assessing major new policies and services and on establishing partnerships to undertake research projects on issues which have been identified as of relevance across the public sector. In 2011-2012 the SEU has also focused on consultation as an integral part of the Substantive Equality program’s requirement that departments consult with Aboriginal and ethnic minority groups so they can provide an informed review of how their policies and practices impact on these groups. Complaint handling In 2011-2012 has been a slight increase in complaints. Seven hundred and ninety seven complaints were received by the Commission this year, which is an increase on 638 in the previous year. The increase seems to come mainly from impairment and race discrimination complaints in the area of goods and services and accommodation. Community Education and Training In the second year of its regional training plan CET has focused on delivering education and training to the regions. During this year CET visited Bunbury and Kalgoorlie. A new course has also been developed titled Developing and Maintaining a Positive Workplace Culture. The course aims to address underlying workplace attitudes that can encourage discrimination and harassment. It became available in 2011-2012.
Following the release of the national Writing Themselves in 3 report detailing the devastating effects of homophobic bullying on students across Australia and in particular Western Australia, the Commission formed a steering committee of representatives from education and health organisations as well as gender and sexuality diverse advocacy groups. The steering committee has agreed to draft specific sexuality and gender based bullying materials that can be used by all primary and secondary schools in WA to develop school based policies. Substantive equality The work of the Substantive Equality Unit has focused on the development of a procedure for assessing major new policies and services and on establishing partnerships to undertake research projects on issues which have been identified as of relevance across the public sector. In 2011-2012 the SEU has also focused on consultation as an integral part of the Substantive Equality program’s requirement that departments consult with Aboriginal and ethnic minority groups so they can provide an informed review of how their policies and practices impact on these groups. Complaint handling In 2011-2012 has been a slight increase in complaints. Seven hundred and ninety seven complaints were received by the Commission this year, which is an increase on 638 in the previous year. The increase seems to come mainly from impairment and race discrimination complaints in the area of goods and services and accommodation. Community Education and Training In the second year of its regional training plan CET has focused on delivering education and training to the regions. During this year CET visited Bunbury and Kalgoorlie. A new course has also been developed titled Developing and Maintaining a Positive Workplace Culture. The course aims to address underlying workplace attitudes that can encourage discrimination and harassment. It became available in 2011-2012.
2011-12-ar.docx