Australia: Airlines’ cabin crews complain of sexual harassment

A year after the #MeToo movement broke the taboo of speaking out about sexual harassment in the entertainment industry, airlines are the latest business sector to become engulfed in misconduct allegations. A survey due to be published Monday by Australia’s Transport Workers Union shows almost two-thirds of cabin crew say they have experienced sexual harassment. The harassment ranges from sexual assault to being touched inappropriately, or subjected to sexualised or degrading comments. Of the 65% of the flight attendants who reported being sexually harassed, 4 out of 5 said the abuse came from co-workers, and 60% said it was at the hands of passengers. The survey covered Australia’s main airlines, including Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Tiger Air. <br/>