Sexual Harassment Review

About the Review of Sexual Harassment in Victorian Courts

The Review of Sexual Harassment in Victorian Courts was commissioned in 2020, following work by the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner to determine the extent of sexual harassment in the state's legal profession, and the release of the Australian Human Rights Commission's 'Respect at Work' report.

Jointly initiated by the Attorney-General of Victoria and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, the independent review was led by former Commissioner of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC), Dr Helen Szoke AO.

The Review was tasked with considering measures to prevent sexual harassment, improve reporting and support for those who experience sexual harassment, raise awareness, and ensure accountability across the state's courts and VCAT.

Dr Szoke's final report, with associated recommendations for reform, was released on 19 April 2021. You can download the Final Report and Appendices:

• Review of Sexual Harassment in Victorian courts and VCAT - Report and recommendations
• Appendix 1: Summary Review of Interventions to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Harassment in Courts
• Appendix 2: Prevalence data - A snapshot of surveys and projects on sexual harassment
• Appendix 3: Judicial independence, accountability and the role of the Heads of Jurisdictions
• Appendix 4: Review to Address Sexual Harassment in Courts and Law Memorandum
• Appendix 5: The current legal framework for preventing sexual harassment in Victoria
• Appendix 6: VEOHRC Data summary of participant's experiences

Progress of the Review's recommendations

Court Services Victoria, the Heads of Jurisdiction, the Judicial College and Judicial Commission are committed to implementing the recommendations made in the Review.

An independent audit of progress was released in August 2024. Find out more about the progress of the Review's recommendations.