214 posts to #metoo legal blog
Researcher Zoe Lawton’s #Metoo blog, set up after the Russell McVeagh scandal, was up for one month and got 214 posts about sexual harassment in New Zealand’s legal profession.
She planned 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 yesterday.
‘‘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.
The victims of this sexual harassment and bullying were were mostly women 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 after-hours socialising and heavy-drinking culture, during which time sexual harassment occurred.
‘‘However, many posts describe sexual harassment occurring during 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.‘‘
While the blog was live, it got about 40,000 views. Despite now being closed to new posts, it would stay online.
‘‘I hope that everyone in the legal industry reads it, particularly those who manage staff or have an HR role,’’ she said.
Meanwhile, the Law Society opened the 0800 phone line 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 two calls on day one and had received two more since.