2015-12-09
Responding to the release today of the Independent Review into sex discrimination and sexual harassment, including predatory behaviour in Victoria Police by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, the Victorian Greens say that it is clear that much more needs to be done to rid Victoria Police of endemic sexism.
Greens spokesperson on Police, Sue Pennicuik said, “We applaud the proactive decision last year by Victoria Police to invite the Human Rights Commission to inquire into sexual harassment and sex discrimination within Victoria Police.”
“I have been raising questions in parliament about these issues and have been awaiting the release of the review. As Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton has said, the report leaves no doubt that Victoria Police has deep problems in terms of the way women are treated and clearly so much more needs to be done.” Ms Pennicuik said.
Ms Nina Springle, the Greens’ spokesperson for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence, said “Victoria Police is at the front line of our crisis response to situations of family violence and violence against women, and until the organisation addresses its internal problems Victorians can’t have confidence that all VicPol officers will truly understand the urgency in these areas.”
“Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton must be commended for taking this difficult but necessary step: I wonder how many other organisations out there would submit themselves for public scrutiny in terms of the way women are treated?”
Link to VEOHRC report: http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/index.php/our-projects-a-initiatives/independent-review-victoria-police
For further comment: Sue Pennicuik: 03 9530 8399 / Nina Springle: 03 9584 4013