High Court harassment inquiry ‘shows need for culture change’

Call for urgent reform to ensure women in the law profession feel safe at work

Sexual harassment allegations involving a former High Court justice show a need for urgent reform of Australia’s legal system, including its male-dominated culture, a Sydney legal academic has said.

Jayne O’Connor, a teaching fellow with the law faculty at the University of New South Wales, has called for changes to address a powerful culture that prevents women from speaking up about harassment.