SAFE SPACE ROUNDTABLE REPORT

Through informal conversations with StartupWA representatives in early 2024, several individuals highlighted experiences of discrimination or harassment in WA’s startup ecosystem, particularly when attending events.

StartupWA sought to collaborate with Women in Technology WA (WiTWA) to better understand the issue via an anonymous survey and a Safe Space Roundtable. Seventy individuals operating in various areas of the ecosystem, including entrepreneurs, event organisers, HR experts, and policy advisors, were invited to participate in both events.

Out of 22 eligible responses to the survey at startup-related events in WA:

  • 23% experienced harassment themselves;

  • 32% observed harassment happen to someone else;

  • 45% experienced discrimination themselves; and

  • 45% observed discrimination happen to someone else.

Encouragingly, 95% of those respondents reported having attended startup-related events at which they felt safe and welcome.

The findings include four tools/systems for development and implementation and three processes/practices to embed.

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