Online platforms emerge as safe spaces for reporting hospo harassment
People accused of sexual abuse and harassment in hospitality are being held to account by “vigilante” social media pages.
The accused are being named and shamed on an Instagram page titled @melbhospocreeps, which also provides instructional guides on how to officially report instances of sexual harassment.
The posts on the platform are anonymous but are designed to minimise levels of harassment. The page collects evidence and multiple testimonies, before posting an alleged abuser’s name, picture and workplace.
The page first posted in March 2024 and has since called out 10 men, while leaning on venues to raise safety standards. So far, the account has 10,000 followers.
@melbhospocreeps has begun a trend around the country.
Adelaide advocacy group Not So Hospitable has spurred a government review into sexual violence training for liquor licence holders after compiling a damning report on widespread abuse, harassment, and bullying in the state’s nightlife industry.
The report, based on hundreds of complaints, has prompted the South Australian government to launch a consultation process aimed at strengthening Responsible Service of Alcohol education.
“Perpetrators of sexual violence deserve to be publicly outed and put out of work, it just won’t be through myself,” founder Jamie Bucirde told The Australian. Bucirde avoids naming and shaming because of the risk of defamation.
“It makes sense to me that people would want to keep their anonymity. This is about how many people, and mostly women, have experienced sexual harassment in hospitality. These numbers speak volumes.”
In 2021, a group of University of Sydney students pioneered this concept with the launch of Confidant, an app designed to allow young lawyers to anonymously report incidents of bullying and harassment within their firms. This initiative was followed three years later by the Legal Services Commissions' introduction of its own anonymous reporting tool.
These platforms share similarities with social media groups such as "Sis, is this your man?", where women warn others about abusive partners. Similar groups have also sprung up to expose potential infidelity.
Saxon Mullins, Advocacy Director at Rape and Sexual Assault Research and Advocacy, highlighted the importance of these online communities, suggesting they offer alternative avenues for reporting sexual abuse outside of traditional legal channels.
“Justice looks different for everybody,” Mullins told The Australian. “These are clearly run by people who want to make this working space better, and that’s always going to be a good thing.”
Jonathan Jackson, 30th July 2024
