214 tales of harassment as blog ends

The perpetrators fit their cliche. The victims fit theirs too. But the picture painted as a #Metoo blog closes the flood gates is of another era.

Researcher Zoe Lawton’s blog, set up after the Russell McVeagh sexual harassment scandal, was up for one month in which time it got 214 posts about sexual harassment in New Zealand’s legal profession.

She plans to provide a full copy of the blog to Justice Minister Andrew Little, the Law Society and each of the universities that has a law school.

‘‘I think the posts on the blog only scratch the surface of this issue – there are far more women out there in the legal industry who have experienced sexual harassment,’’ she said.

‘‘I’ve received hundreds of emails and messages of support from women, many of whom said they felt unable to provide posts because it would be too upsetting or they were afraid they would be identified and suffer career repercussions. I’m sure this is also an issue in other industries.’’

She went through the blog over the weekend to pick out the trends.

Most of the posts – 190 of the 214 – were from women and most of the sexual harassment described was carried out by men in senior roles. These included law firm partners and chief executives, barristers, and senior lawyers in Government agencies.

The victims of the sexual harassment and bullying were largely women and most were aged between 18 and 35, Lawton said.

‘‘These women hold a range of roles and at various seniority levels: partners of firms, senior lawyers, junior lawyers, legal secretaries and support staff, legal staff in government agencies right through to academics and law students.’’

Those posting described how sexual harassment was ingrained in their workplace.

‘‘There are accounts of the afterhours socialising and heavydrinking culture, during which time sexual harassment occurred,’’ Lawton said. ‘‘However, many posts describe sexual harassment occurring in working hours, in the office, and sometimes in full view of other staff.

‘‘A common theme that emerged was that women feel unable to report sexual harassment to their manager or [human resources] staff because of the impact it could have on their reputation and career.

‘‘Others have said when they did report it their account was brushed aside, minimised, ignored or not believed. There have been a number of posts stating sexual harassment was just as bad 10, 20, or 30 years ago and nothing has really changed. If anything, it may have even gotten worse.’’

While the blog was live, it received about 40,000 views. While it was now closed to new posts, it would remain online.

‘‘I hope everyone in the legal industry reads it, particularly those who manage staff or have an HR role,’’ she said. ‘‘I also hope the blog continues to be a resource for those who want information on how to report their experience to the Human Rights Commission, the NZ Law Society, their employer, or their university.’’

Lawton earlier said she had been told she had been blacklisted by a government agency as a result of the blog.

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark was a vocal supporter of Lawton’s blog.

Meanwhile, the Law Society opened the 0800 phone line – staffed by five people – last week as a place those in the legal world could discuss matters such as workplace harassment and find out about getting help. It got just two calls on day one and had received two more since.