Sex joke sparked trucker woman’s incredible idea: ‘Everybody’s heard it’

A female truck driver has spoken out about the realities of being a woman behind the wheel in a male-dominated industry.

Bianca Clark, from Sydney, has been a trucker for almost five years and said the switch from being a small business owner to spending her days on the road was the best decision she ever made.

However, the 31-year-old revealed that while she loves her job, it hasn’t always been easy, with Bianca saying her gender has led to sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace – something she is working to change .

“When I started as a truck driver, it was very difficult,” she told news.com.au.

“The company I worked for didn’t really take care of me as a woman. I’ve experienced all the things people warn you about in the industry.

“It was very male-dominated and I faced many instances of sexual harassment and discrimination because of my gender.”

In Australia, men continue to dominate the industry as only 2.9% of truck drivers are women, according to 2021 figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Over the years, Bianca has managed to shake off a series of awful remarks from men, explaining that it has made her think about quitting on more than one occasion.

“It was not a good environment at all. I actually thought truck driving might not be for me, despite how much I enjoyed it,” she said.

“There were many lewd comments and crude sexual jokes about my body. At this point, I feel like I’ve heard it all.

“Unfortunately, these issues still exist, which is disappointing. But the more women we can get into the industry, the less it will be tolerated.”

While she said “things are changing” for female truckers, she admitted it’s a slow process, detailing a shocking incident she witnessed on the job.

“One of the worst moments was when a man made a disgusting joke about female genitalia on the radio,” she recalled.

“Everybody heard it, I think he thought everybody was going to laugh. But they didn’t.

The man was thankfully reported and fired, but Bianca said it was “terrifying” to experience, adding that it was “very encouraging to see things change”.

“Men have made very descriptive comments about things they would like to do to me, sexual jokes and comments about my sexual orientation directed at my wife and I,” she explained.

“We have a long way to go, but I’m excited to be a part of that change.”

Bianca now works at another company where she feels safe and respected at work, which she says has made “all the difference”.

But her experiences led her to start her non-profit organization, Ladylike Project, which aims to encourage and support female truck drivers.

One of their main goals is to help pay for truck driver’s licenses for young women, which can cost more than $1,500.

“I hope this can help get a foot in the door for a woman who might want to become a truck driver,” she explained.

“If I can help even one woman achieve her goal, it can be life-changing.”

One of her favorite parts of the job is the reaction she gets when people see she’s a woman behind the wheel.

“I love seeing people’s reactions when I jump out,” she said.

“They are confused. I once had an old man come up to me and ask if it was my truck, he was amazed.

“People often can’t believe what they see. I like.”

When she first started, Bianca used to avoid wearing make-up and doing her hair as it got her into ‘fights’ – but now she proudly embraces her femininity.

“I’m a feminine woman, I like to do my hair, I like to do my makeup, I tuck in my shirt,” she said.

“That’s how I like to act and that’s how I would be in any workplace.

“It got me into a bit of a fight in my early days, but I stood my ground and was determined not to change.”

Bianca’s skills in the trucking industry have not gone unnoticed, with the Sydney woman being a finalist in the Women in Civil Contracting People Awards 2022, as well as a finalist in the Western Sydney Woman in Trades Award.

She was also runner-up for Female Truck Driver of the Year 2021 and was on the cover of Big Rigs magazine in January 2021.

Now, as things improve in the industry, she encourages women who might be interested to “give it a go.”

“It’s a great career option, I wouldn’t change it for the world,” she said.

“On long drives, I can listen to podcasts or e-books and educate myself about different things.

“I also get to visit some incredible places and see beautiful landscapes. I get to places most Australians wouldn’t even know existed.

“Also, I don’t have someone checking in on me every two seconds like in an office job. You go out on your own and do the work.

“I really like that amount of independence.”

She also said there are some unique advantages to having women in truck driver roles.

“Hiring a woman in these positions in most cases brings a different dynamic to the workgroup or the site,” she said.

“Women tend to understand more about what is expected of them at work, with better communication and focus.

“We are also much more careful with the equipment, which leads to fewer maintenance issues.

“Women tend to represent business very positively, which in turn is great for exposure.”

Where to get help:

• If it is an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is in danger, call 111.

• If you have ever been sexually assaulted or abused and need someone to talk to, call the Safe to Talk confidential crisis helpline on: 0800 044 334 or text 4334.

• Alternatively, contact your local police station.

• If you have been abused, remember that it is not your fault.