Susie O’Brien: Robert Doyle findings come years too late

The latest findings about Robert Doyle come far too late to be of much use. It’s clear we have a long way to go.

It’s hard to know what is most galling about the Robert Doyle saga.

Is it the fact for years he has did not co-operate with authorities investigating extensive and multiple claims of sexual misconduct?

The fact he’s played the victim card, spending years claiming ill-health while being spotted around town wining and dining?

The fact Doyle spent years deny serious allegations, even wheeling out his then wife Emma to say he was little more than “cheerful” and “animated”?

Or the fact he’s still free to do as he pleases despite report after report finding gross sexual misconduct?

On Friday we finally got to see the latest report into Doyle’s sexual misconduct by Charles Scerri QC, for Melbourne Health.

Scerri found Doyle engaged in “sleazy” behaviour and “serious misconduct of a sexual nature” during a black-tie dinner in 2016.

It’s the same finding as another report by Ian Freckelton QC for the City of Melbourne.

Scerri found Doyle did in fact touch a woman’s inner thigh close to her groin, and her lower back. His actions were described as “overfamiliar, rude, obnoxious or sleazy”.

It found this behaviour was unwelcome and caused her much distress.

I’ve spoken a few times in the past to his accuser, Kharla Williams, whose version of events has been vindicated time and again.

Kharla Williams is an intelligent woman who had her character maligned by Robert Doyle. Picture: Sarah Matray

It’s hard to know what’s most galling about the Robert Doyle saga. Picture: Nicole Garmston

She’s a confident, intelligent woman who had her account questioned and her character maligned by Doyle, his cronies and his lawyers.

Like many women who accused powerful men of sexual misconduct, she found her own motives under question.

The same thing happened to Mr Doyle’s other accusers, former city councillor Tessa Sullivan and city councillor Cathy Oke.

Women who come forward with sexual misconduct allegations often find themselves in the firing line as much as the people they accuse.

Their motivations, integrity and backgrounds are often questioned.

Many assume they have ulterior motives for speaking out.

Like all official reports in relation to Doyle, these latest findings come years too late to be of much use.

It’s all very well for Scerri to say he thinks it’s not acceptable that Doyle’s lawyers have been unable to get instructions from him, but it does not mean much now.

Or for Freckelton to say Doyle’s actions towards Ms Williams were “opportunistic and occurred in circumstances of significant power imbalance”.

Doyle resigned in disgrace years ago, his reputation is in shreds and his marriage over.

And yet he’s been seen around town on the arm of his new partner. Three weeks ago he sold his South Melbourne house for $2m.

I’d like to think that in this post #MeToo era, these women would be given much better treatment than they got from the council, the health department and lawyers trying to discredit them.

However, look at the way Brittany Higgins — another woman accusing a man in a well-known place of sexual assault — has been treated.

It’s clear not enough has changed and we need to keep learning, listening and believing sexual assault survivors.

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