The Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner welcomes the report of the Review of Sexual Harassment in Victorian Courts, and supports the recommendations.

Victorian Legal Services Board CEO and Commissioner, Fiona McLeay, today acknowledged Dr Szoke and the Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s work and comprehensive and important report.

“The report’s 20 recommendations offer a clear roadmap for the courts and VCAT to foster respectful cultures and ensure safe workplaces”.

“Like our 2019 study into sexual harassment in the legal profession, this report found that sexual harassment and the silence surrounding this behavior was perpetuated by power inequalities. We must build a culture where sexual harassment is no longer tolerated and where victim-survivors and bystanders feel safe to speak up”.

“We look forward to working with the government and the courts to implement these changes to make a difference to everyone who works in the legal sector in Victoria”. 

“While these important recommendations are being implemented, we encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed harassment by a lawyer to call or email our sexual harassment complaints team to confidentially talk through options with our specially trained staff”.

You can read our report into sexual harassment in the Victorian legal profession, or find information on how to report sexual harassment by a lawyer.