Susie O’Brien: Former Lord Mayor Robert Doyle not the only victim of flawed process
FORMER Lord Mayor Robert Doyle is right about the flawed process leading to his resignation — but he’s not the only victim of the sexual harassment scandal, writes Susie O’Brien.
Susie O'Brien
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FORMER Lord Mayor Robert Doyle is not the only victim of the sexual harassment scandal. Doyle is right that the process leading to his resignation was flawed.
As soon as the allegations hit the media, he was a dead man walking. But he’s not the only one suffering — the process has also been brutal on the female complainants too.
Coming out and insisting on his innocence before the investigation is concluded means Doyle is effectively calling his female accusers liars.
DOYLE A ‘BROKEN’ MAN AFTER RESIGNATION
He’s complained about the need for a presumption of innocence, but he’s denying his accusers this right. He’s complained about the lack of natural justice, but he’s refused them this right.
I can’t imagine the agony former councillor Tessa Sullivan has been through since her accusations were made public. Same goes for councillor Cathy Oke, who has been named as the second alleged victim.
Sullivan has resigned and both have been subject to widespread scrutiny and judgments. A third woman who made claims about Doyle’s behaviour at a medical dinner has also been the topic of much gossip.
Women who come forward with sexual harassment often find themselves in the firing line as much as the people they accuse.
SEVEN WEEKS OF ‘AGONY’: DOYLE’S WIFE
Their motivations, integrity and backgrounds are often questioned, with many assuming they’ve got ulterior motives for speaking out.
Sullivan, on the face of it, did nothing wrong. She detailed her claims against Doyle in an extensive document which she submitted to the council.
She even resigned, making it clear she was not motivated by taking over Doyle’s job.
The council, too, acted swiftly in constituting an internal inquiry led by eminent QC Dr Ian Freckelton.
The presumption of guilt Doyle’s camp complained about today was not the council’s fault.
When the complaints were first aired, Doyle said it wasn’t fair he first learned about some of the details by reading about them in the media.
This does seem unfair. But Doyle and his wife Emma Page Campbell turned to the media this week — the Herald Sun — to make a bid for public sympathy.
Doyle is a well-practised media performer and has never hesitated to turn to the media to get his point across.
The deficiencies in the process don’t mean Doyle is not guilty.
He insists he is innocent, but we also have to bear in mind the integrity of the women who have come forward with claims against him.
Inside the media and political circles, many women had their own stories to tell of Doyle getting a bit too friendly after a few drinks. A bit too hands-on, you might say.
I should stress that Ms Page Campbell says the allegations don’t accord with the man she knows.
QC DELIVERS FINDINGS ON DOYLE SEX CLAIM SCANDAL
TIMELINE OF THE TOWN HALL HARASSMENT SCANDAL
The problem lies with the nature of the complaints, which have not been tested in a properly-constituted court and may never be. This leaves Doyle in no man’s land.
At this stage, we don’t know the outcome of the investigation, and there is some debate over whether the findings will be made public or not.
For the sake of all of those involved, and the integrity of the council, I hope the findings will be released.
The behaviour Doyle has been accused of — inappropriate touching innuendo and discussion — is not befitting someone holding the office of lord mayor.
People deserve to know what really went on, but it’s hard to be confident that the truth will ever fully emerge. There must be a better way.
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