HRC not so good at walking the walk

Stuff reports:

A sexual harassment scandal at the Human Rights Commission could undermine public trust in the organisation, an advocacy group says.

On Sunday, Stuff revealed a young American woman cut short her internship at the commission after she was groped by the organisation’s chief financial officer at a work party.

The commission investigated a sexual harassment complaint against Kyle Stutter, which resulted in disciplinary action. However, three months on, he remains employed there as chief financial officer. He threatened to sue if he was identified.

The alleged harrassment is:

At this point, Stutter began dancing with her, before advancing on her without her consent and groping her breasts and private parts, she said, despite her trying to push his hands away.

Groping someone’s breasts and private parts without consent could be sexual assault. It is certainly at the very serious end of the spectrum of sexual harrassment actions. It’s not like an off colour joke, or inappropriate speech.

The HRC is very good at telling others how they should behave, but it seems not so good themselves at ensuring a safe workplace. An apology and having to undertake counselling seems like a wet bus ticket.

Of course we only have one side of the story, but the fact that a former HRC intern is so upset by what happened suggests there is a need for improvement.