According to the Bar’s 2023–24 annual report, 19 people made a report with Spot, the online tool that allows those at the NSW Bar to make a confidential record of an incident and anonymously report it to the association’s sexual harassment officer.

Of the 19, eleven private reports were created. The online tool also had just under 250 page views in that same period.

Jenny Houen, director of BarCare – the confidential counselling service for barristers and their families – reportedly responded to a number of inquiries and requests for advice from members.

Looking at short-term objectives, the NSW Bar said it is committed to respectful conduct towards all it deals with, “including the elimination of sexual harassment, discrimination and workplace bullying”.

President Ruth Higgins SC said the association has implemented a number of measures to “reduce bullying levels at the Bar and the bench” as part of its “ongoing plan to reduce sexual harassment, workplace discrimination and bullying” across the profession.

According to the annual report’s disciplinary section, the complaints referred to the NSW Bar by the Office of the Legal Services Commission increased by 43 per cent between 2022–23 and 2023–24.

In that same period, a number of disciplinary matters concerning barristers were heard before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, including proceedings against Charles Waterstreet for the sexual harassment of three women, one of whom was a student.

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The student, whose identity has been protected, told NCAT that Waterstreet had viewed a pornographic video near her and once showed her a pencil drawing of a flaccid penis while saying words to the effect of it being a “drawing of my beautiful penis”.

NCAT’s senior member Harry Dixon and general member Mary Bolt said Waterstreet’s misconduct may have had a “serious adverse impact” upon the women, and workplaces, including chambers, “should be safe spaces for all the people who work or visit them”.

The online tool can be accessed here.

Help is available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636. Each law society and bar association also has resources available on their respective websites.