We define key terms below and acknowledge that people have different definitions. Language changes and continues to evolve.
| Key term | Description |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander | An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person is:
|
| Aboriginal Cultural Safety | An environment that is safe for Aboriginal people, where there is no assault, challenge or denial of their identity and experience. Cultural safety is about individuals, organisations and systems being aware of the impact of their own culture and cultural values on Aboriginal people, while creating and maintaining an environment where all people are treated in a culturally respectful manner. |
| Colonial Load | The invisible, often unpaid burden and emotional labour placed on Aboriginal employees and community members by institutions and non-Aboriginal colleagues. This includes the expectation to educate others on Aboriginal history, deliver Acknowledgements of Country, and represent the entirety of Aboriginal perspectives. |
| Colonisation | Colonisation is the act of one country or power taking control of another territory and its people, usually by force. It involves establishing settlements, exploiting local resources, and imposing the controlling nation’s culture and government on the Indigenous population |
| Discrimination | The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability. |
| Discriminatory workplace harm | This term covers any way a person experiences discrimination, harm or violence based on protected characteristics within the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic). |
| Intersectionality | A theoretical approach that understands the interconnected nature of social categorisations – such as gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, language, religion, class, socioeconomic status, gender identity, ability or age – which create overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage for either an individual or group Everybody matters. (Inclusion and Equity Statement) |
| Stereotype | A stereotype is a fixed, overly simple, and often untrue belief that many people have about a particular group of people. It is an assumption that everyone in that group acts, thinks, or looks the same way, ignoring individual differences. (Merriam-Webster) |
| Workplace harm | Workplace harm is defined as any physical or psychological injury, illness, or disease caused by hazards in the work environment, whether resulting from a single event or long-term exposure. It includes physical injuries (e.g., cuts, strains) and psychological harm (e.g., stress, anxiety) caused by bullying, harassment, or violence. (Safe Work Australia website) |
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