With less than a month until Christmas, end-of-year work parties are now well underway.

For many, it’s a chance to celebrate the end of a long year. But more than one in six (15%) incidents of sexual harassment in Australia happen at work social events. Sexual harassment also happens during work-related travel, which includes being driven home from a work party.

If you end up being sexually harassed or even assaulted at your work party, there’s a list of resources at the end of this article.

You’re not alone. Community and legal centres are telling us they’re gearing up for an influx of cases over the coming weeks.

And if you’re a partygoer who sees something that makes you uncomfortable, or a boss wanting to keep your employees safer – here’s how you can make a real difference too.

If someone’s made an unwelcome sexual advance, that wasn’t your fault. Especially when it’s someone you know and thought you could trust, being harassed can feel confusing and scary.

We’re part of a three-year research project on how to prevent sexual harassment at work.

While undertaking that research, one of the warnings we’re seeing from victim-survivors who have made harassment complaints is how often invisibility was a factor. In other words, situations without many other people around as witnesses.

Another risk factor is close proximity. That can happen at the party itself, especially in crowded areas. Or it could happen on a drive to or from the party, where you’re stuck........

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