SA Chief Justice offers to meet with sexual harassment complainants after damning report
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Sexual harrassment claims have been made against a sitting judicial officer. ()
South Australia’s Chief Justice Chris Kourakis has committed to personally oversee sexual harassment complaints from members of the legal profession after it was revealed claims have been made against a sitting judicial officer.
The Equal Opportunity Commission released a report earlier in the week which found widespread sexual and discriminatory harassment within the state’s legal profession.
On Friday, Equal Opportunity Commissioner Jodeen Carney said a correction had been made to the report after a survey respondent let her know the allegations she made were against a sitting judicial officer.
“The review team inferred from the initial response that the matter did not involve a current judicial officer. That is not the case,” she said.
“To remedy this, a revised copy of the report has been placed on the EOC website. The footnote has been removed.
“I commend this woman for contacting me about this matter, and encourage others to do so if they wish.
Mr Kourakis said he was “very disappointed” to hear complaints had been made to the inquiry about serving and retired judicial officers.
“It is important that victims of sexual offending or sexual harassment by judicial officers be given an opportunity to tell their story to the Chief Justice or the principal judicial officer of the court concerned,” he said.
“To allow that to occur, I have established a dedicated email address to which complaints about the conduct of any serving or former judicial officer of this state can be sent.
“Complainants may choose to provide information to me anonymously or may choose to identify themselves.”
Mr Kourakis said any form of harassment was unacceptable.
“Any offending by judicial officers must be eliminated,” he said.
“Judicial officers must exemplify the respectful behaviours which the community expects.”
He said complainants could be accompanied by a support person of their choice and to ensure confidentiality, the meeting could be arranged at a place away from the courts.
“I welcome the opportunity to listen to the account of any complainant who would like to meet with me,” Mr Kourakis said.
“I will support any complainant who comes forward, who wishes to pursue the complaint formally, either by referring the matter to the SA Police or to the Judicial Conduct Commissioner.”
Inquiry identifies entrenched gender bias
The Equal Opportunity Commission inquiry involved a survey of those currently working or those who had previously worked in the legal profession, with more than 600 responses received.
It found a “patriarchal and hierarchical culture”, a “lack of cultural diversity” and a “deeply entrenched gender bias” were some of the drivers of harassment.
Some 42 per cent of respondents reported they had experienced sexual or discriminatory harassment at work, one third of whom experienced it more than once.
The most common type of sexual harassment experienced was sexually suggestive comments or jokes being made, with nearly 70 per cent of respondents detailing such incidents.
“The men in the firm … had a running joke about who could have sex on the most couches/armchairs in the office,” one written response read.
Seven survey respondents indicated they had experienced sexual violence or assault.
Video: SA Attorney-General says workplace sexual harassment is unacceptable (ABC NEWS)
Source: Thanks msn.com