The Law Society of NSW has joined calls for the Federal Government to act on key recommendations from a landmark Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) report into sexual harassment in the workplace in the wake of the allegations made against the former High Court Justice, Dyson Heydon AC QC.
President of the Law Society of NSW, Richard Harvey, has described the allegations of sexual harassment made by six women against the former High Court Justice as deeply concerning and disturbing.
Mr Harvey also acknowledged the courage of the women who came forward to report the allegations and commended The Hon Susan Kiefel AC, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, for the High Court's response to the allegations, the subsequent inquiry and the Court's apology to the victims.
"Sexual harassment or any type of unacceptable behaviour in the workplace should be condemned," Mr Harvey said.
"One of the fundamental rights for anyone working in the legal profession, or any workplace for that matter, is that they can work in an environment in which they are free from sexual harassment, bullying, discrimination, vilification or victimisation.
"Predatory behaviour by people in power is inexcusable and must be eliminated.
"These allegations strengthen our resolve to be part of the solution to eliminate disgraceful and unacceptable behaviour in the workplace and ensure that victims can speak out against such behaviour in the knowledge that it will have severe consequences for the perpetrator, and not them.
"The Law Society has not and will not shy away from confronting systemic inequity between men and women and, at an individual level, dealing with the distress that arises from sexual harassment.
Mr Harvey said the Law Society contributed to an extensive Law Council of Australia submission to the AHRC inquiry into sexual harassment.
The Law Society was also a foundational participant in the International Bar Association's landmark "Us Too?" report on Bullying and Sexual Harassment in the Legal Profession.
"As the peak body for the state's 35,000 solicitors, we have not been backward in seeking to create awareness of sexual harassment in the legal profession or seeking to drive positive change through our policy work, advocacy and regulatory functions."
Mr Harvey said a number of the Law Society's submissions to the AHRC inquiry into sexual harassment were reflected in the recommendations contained in the Respect
