Senior staff member at Human Rights Commission disciplined after sexual harassment complaint

Friday, 15 December 2017

A senior staff member at the Human Rights Commission has been disciplined after a sexual harassment complaint was made against him.

It's understood that earlier this year, a female intern at the Commission alleged the male staff member sexually harassed her to such an extent that she was forced to cut short her internship.

The commission's chief executive, Cynthia Brophy, said on Friday the male staff member was still employed at the organisation.

'I can confirm that a complaint was received and investigated confidentially by human resources with my oversight,' Brophy said. 

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'The outcome was that disciplinary action was taken in respect of the person against whom the complaint was made. That person remains in our employment.'

The alleged victim declined to comment. 

Asked about the incident, commission member Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Jackie Blue said it was not appropriate for her to comment.

Fellow commission member Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy also wouldn't comment, saying: 'I've had no involvement with that at all.'

It's understood the matter was dealt with exclusively by Brophy and human resources, and none of the commissioners were aware of it until the intern had left.

The Human Rights Commission is a Crown entity, but is independent of the government. 

It was formed in 1977, and currently functions under the mandate of the Human Rights Act 1993.

The commission's role includes providing a dispute resolution service for complaints of unlawful discrimination, and racial or sexual harassment.