Working towards the elimination of sexual harassment in the legal profession

We are proud to be working with partners across the legal profession, to create an environment where people feel safe and respected at work.

As a member of Advocates for Change – a group of Victorian legal professionals from public and private organisations, community legal centres and the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) – we are focused on eliminating sexual harassment in the legal profession.

This work is important as a 2019 Victorian Legal Service Board survey found that 61 per cent of women working in law had experienced sexual harassment, compared with 39 per cent in the broader workforce.

The source of this sexual harassment could be traced to the law’s hierarchial power structures, its adversarial systems and its focus on tradition and networking. All these factors make it hard for people who experience sexual harassment, mostly women, to speak out and complain.

Under the leadership of the LIV, the Advocates for Change have met in small groups since June 2021 to raise awareness, share experiences, encourage mutual learning and good practice and commit to being advocates for positive change.

This week Advocates for Change launched a document titled, ‘Sexual Harassment in the Legal Profession: What can we do about it?’, which highlights ideas and comments on how to address the issue.

Executive Director, Legal Practice, Civil Justice and Access and Equity, Rowan McRae is a member of Advocates for Change and a strong supporter of its work.

‘As Advocates for Change, we've come together with a sense of collective purpose, shared our own personal experiences and collaborated on the document being launched.

‘We've also created a community of practice that can share resources and focus on solutions in a way that benefits the profession as a whole,’ said Rowan.

Rowan believes that while there is still plenty of work to do, the document is a step in the right direction.

‘This document provides concrete steps and actions to address sexual harassment in the legal profession, and I have found it useful and encouraging to hear how others are approaching these important issues.

‘The continued incidences of workplace sexual harassment are disturbing and disappointing. They are also a reminder of the need for governments to strengthen laws to require employers to take meaningful steps to prevent sexual harassment, remove barriers to making complaints and hold those responsible to account.

‘At Victoria Legal Aid, we are committed to providing and advocating for safe and respectful workplaces for all.

‘Everybody has the right to be safe and feel safe at work, and I hope that the work of this group can contribute to that in a small but significant way,’ said Rowan.

More information

Read Sexual Harassment in the Legal Profession: What can we do about it?(opens in a new window)

Learn more about what constitutes sexual harassment(opens in a new window).

Learn what to do if you witness or experience sexual harassment by a lawyer(opens in a new window).