00:00Nepalese student, Baplavi Maga, ignored the sexist comments for months while working at a Mexican food chain in Sydney's northwest.
00:11I just wanted to keep my head down.
00:13But her work life deteriorated, forced to watch explicit videos and adult toy demonstrations in her boss's car.
00:21He showed each and every toy and like how to use it and like brushed it against my thighs.
00:28Throughout the time I was saying no as much as I could.
00:32My mind was like begging with time, like just fast forward it.
00:36The then 22 year old eventually collapsed, unable to function.
00:41It was really scary to go outside. It gave me severe like social anxiety.
00:46It felt as if like everybody was sexualizing me.
00:50With the help of a social worker and lawyer, Baplavi documented her story
00:55and filed a sexual harassment claim in the federal court.
00:59She's spoken publicly for the first time.
01:02It wasn't just about the justice like in the fairy tales, but it was about accountability.
01:08Baplavi's case is the highest award of damages that we've seen in a federal sexual harassment claim in Australia ever.
01:16The case is one of the first to involve new sex based harassment provisions that came into effect following the landmark respect at work report three years ago.
01:25It also takes into account the victim's young age and migrant status.
01:30It really is a stand up and take notice for employers from the courts.
01:35The respondent is no longer a MadMex franchisee, has denied the allegations and is considering an appeal.
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