Uni hierarchies can allow harassment, warns new Adelaide Uni Chancellor Cathy Branson, QC
Organisations such as universities and courts allow the potential for abuse or harassment because of their set-up, the new Adelaide Uni chancellor and former judge has warned.
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Universities must recognise the potential for abuse of power made possible by their hierarchical nature, the new Adelaide University chancellor has warned.
Cathy Branson, QC, a former Federal Court judge, said allegations of sexual harassment against former High Court judge Dyson Heydon were also a warning for universities.
“I think we have to accept that hierarchical places are places where very poor conduct can be tolerated, that you wouldn’t expect to be tolerated,” she told SAWeekend magazine.
“The protection we place around really senior people in hierarchies – the judiciary and the legal profession … universities have their strong hierarchies as well – we’ve got to be alert to the danger that comes from that.”
Adelaide University was not exempt.
“There are almost certainly pockets of this university where the culture is not what we want,” she said, adding that such attitudes could stop talented people working there.
Ms Branson called for a “renewed and refreshed” culture of respect at the university, because “no one harasses a person that they truly respect”.
She was appointed to head the university council in July after the resignations of senior leaders, vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen and previous chancellor and ex-governor, Rear-Admiral Kevin Scarce.
Professor Rathjen announced last month he was quitting because of ill health; Mr Scarce left without explanation in May.
On the Heydon allegations, Ms Branson said she was appalled that some of the most talented young women in the legal profession had left it because of the alleged behaviour. The case showed that “we need to think more deeply” about the problem.
“Sexual harassment, particularly sexual harassment of young women in their workplace, is a complex problem deeply rooted in societal attitudes towards women,” she said.
Ms Branson last month said robust, respectful debate was welcome but “freedom of speech is not just about being able to say nasty things about other people”.
She said people did their best work when they felt welcomed and respected – a view founded on her experience as a trailblazing woman and human rights’ advocate.
Her first priority was the uni’s projected $250m shortfall over two years from the effects of COVID-19.