School sexism was reported by 78% of teachers surveyed
More than three in four teachers in a Monash University survey of Australian Education Union members said they had observed or experienced school sexism or misogyny in their workplace.
The university’s national survey, based on responses from more than 2,600 teachers across every state and sector, found 78% reported observing or experiencing sexism or misogyny in school, while one in three said it happened frequently.
Monash University said the findings also showed one in two teachers had seen an increase in gendered violence among students. It said 95% of teachers believed at least some of their students access manosphere content, and 70% had noticed its influence on student attitudes and behaviour in the past 12 months.
Lead author Dr Stephanie Wescott from Monash University’s School of Education and Culture said schools were workplaces governed by the same workplace health and safety and anti-discrimination laws as other organisations. “Educators are skilled and essential workers who make valued contributions to Australian society, yet, for many teachers, schools have become unbearably hostile places to work, with levels of sexism, misogyny and sexual harassment that have made their jobs untenable,” Wescott said.
Teachers link abuse to leaving
According to Monash University, one in three teachers said gendered violence caused them to occasionally consider leaving teaching, while 16% said they frequently considered leaving because of it.
The survey found teachers were more likely to consider leaving if they frequently experienced gendered violence from students, had seen a recent increase in gendered violence from colleagues, or identified as a woman. Women were significantly more likely than men to report that gendered violence had made them consider leaving.
Monash University also said teachers were less likely to consider leaving if their school had clear policies outlining responses to sexism and gender bias. Early career teachers were more likely to report that they had frequently observed or experienced gendered violence in their schools.
The report is titled Duty of Care: Teachers’ experiences of sexism, misogyny and sexual harassment in Australian schools.
