The regulator’s commissioner, Fiona McLeay, said: “We are serious about addressing sexual harassment in the Victorian legal profession. This survey will help us gain an accurate understanding of the problem so we can take effective action.”

The survey asks participants what type of behaviour they have witnessed or been part of, including repeated or inappropriate invitations, sexually suggestive comments and jokes and any unwelcome touching or behaviour.

It also asks that respondents detail how common they believe sexual harassment is in the legal industry and what reports to management were made following incidents.

Law Institute of Victoria president Stuart Webb said the organisation was developing a protocol for dealing with sexual harassment through working groups.

“We need a profession that is prepared to stand up and say enough is enough, sexual harassment is not part of the workplace that I belong to,” Mr Webb said.

He added the International Bar Association’s landmark report released in May showed that one in three women and one in 14 men have been sexually harassed.

“This is simply unacceptable. We want to drill down into our local experience in Victoria to find out if this is a continuing phenomenon and act now to prevent harassment,” he said.

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Ms McLeay said the survey findings will inform the key actions that will be undertaken by the independent regulator to stamp out sexual harassment: “There is no place for sexual harassment in the legal profession, and it will not be tolerated.”

The regulator is calling on lawyers, barristers, legal assistants, administrative staff and law students who have worked or are working in the Victorian legal sector to complete the survey, as well as members of the public who are or have been clients of lawyers.

A separate survey is also being undertaken to inform the regulator on training, policies and processes in place to prevent and manage sexual harassment.

“We want to understand what employee training and reporting procedures are in place to prevent and manage sexual harassment in legal workplaces,” Ms McLeay said.

In February, the regulator issued a statement to the sector reiterating that it has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment: “The legal profession, as a fundamental pillar of the Victorian justice system, cannot be quiet in addressing this kind of conduct.

“We will investigate sexual harassment complaints we receive, initiate our complaints where appropriate, and in either case use the powers we have to address it.”

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