Blurred Lines: The Intersections of Gendered Harm in Rural Australia

With special focus on rural Australia, this article situates the relationship between the gendered harm that takes place in the workplace context (referred to as sexual harassment) and the private context (often referred to as intimate partner violence). Each of these behavioral forms present unique complexities. On one hand, intimate partner violence encompasses acts perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner, ranging from physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological aggression.3 On the other hand, sexual harassment in the workplace is humiliating, sexualized behavior that occurs at the hands of a co-worker through various meansbottoms are slapped, breasts are commented on, rulers are thrust under skirts, oral sex is simulated, genitals are grabbed and fondled, pornography is displayed and sometimes sex is forced. Despite the contextual differences, given the gendered nature of the violent behaviors, there are some natural overlaps. For example:Perpetrators are known to their victims, and the crimes tend to occur in places that are traditionally thought to be safe havensthe home and the workplace. Both are costly personal and public health problems.This article explores the respective complexities associated with reporting these types of harm for women in rural communities, highlighting some commonalities in the context of isolation.