The Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner’s independent Legal Services Research Centre (LSRC) has published Sexual Harassment in the Legal Profession: Findings from the 2025 Victorian Lawyer Census.
The report uses data from the annual Lawyer Census to gain deeper insights into the critical issue of sexual harassment in the legal profession in Victoria.
The survey revealed that over one-third (34%) of lawyers have experienced sexual harassment during their careers to date, while 44% have witnessed it. 23% reported experiencing and witnessing sexual harassment.
Led by Dr Alice King, this latest research identifies the groups most at risk of experiencing sexual harassment, the types of harassment perpetrated and the environments the behaviour is occurring in, the impact on wellbeing, and the barriers to reporting, among other insights.
VLSB+C CEO and Commissioner, Fiona McLeay, said:
“We established the Legal Services Research Centre to conduct independent research that can be used by all to improve our justice system for the profession and ultimately the community.”
“These findings about sexual harassment in the profession are unacceptable. There is no doubt we need an increased and sustained effort across the profession to drive systemic change.”
“I am pleased that 87% of respondents understand that the VLSB+C has a role in the prevention of sexual harassment within the profession, and 78% agree we have a role in the investigation of perpetrators.”
“The VLSB+C does not tolerate sexual harassment of any kind in the law, and we will take action against perpetrators.”
“We are dedicated to working with the profession to drive the changes that are needed to stop sexual harassment in the law, so that employees and consumers of legal services are protected.”
“We are stepping up our efforts with increased reporting channels, and will assess all reports that are made to us.”
The VLSB+C this week launched a phone line direct to a specialised team trained in the handing of sexual harassment complaints and anonymous reporting.
The new phone line provides another avenue for reporting, working alongside the VLSB+C’s nation-leading anonymous reporting tool and other dedicated formal complaint channels, to enable those experiencing sexual harassment from lawyers to report that behaviour in a way that is most comfortable for them.
The VLSB+C encourages those who are experiencing sexual harassment from lawyers to make a report, so that its specialised team can provide assistance. The VLSB+C assesses all complaints and takes decisive disciplinary action.
The annual Victorian Lawyer Census, scheduled to take place again in early 2026, will continue to monitor the sexual harassment experiences of lawyers, track trends and evaluate intervention effectiveness, with its findings published by the Legal Services Research Centre in 2026.