Bombshell council report on Robert Doyle sexual harassment allegations released
One of Robert Doyle’s accusers has revealed how she felt after he touched her inappropriately at a black-tie dinner, saying she was relieved after a previously secret report was revealed.
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Former Lord Mayor of Melbourne Robert Doyle had engaged in “highly distressing” behaviour by touching a woman inappropriately at a black-tie dinner in 2016, a report has found.
The previously secret report released by the Melbourne City Council found that Mr Doyle had no justification for the behaviour and it was fundamentally inconsistent with the dignity of the office of Lord Mayor.
Council chief executive Justin Hanney released the supplementary report by Ian Freckelton, QC, after Victoria Police dropped a criminal investigation into Mr Doyle.
The report involves allegations by Kharla Williams, who claims Mr Doyle assaulted her at the Melbourne Health dinner she attended with her husband in 2016.
Mr Freckelton found that Mr Doyle had spoken to Ms Williams in a sleazy way, had put his hand on her lower back near her buttocks, and on a number of occasions had put his right hand on her left inside leg, near her groin.
“It was opportunistic and occurred in circumstances of significant power imbalance between Mr Doyle and Ms Williams,” his report says.
Ms Williams said she felt a mixture of emotions when the report into Robert Doyle’s sleazy behaviour was released on Monday.
“The initial response was relief, it wasn’t sadness,” she said on ABC radio.
Ms Williams spoke about what it was like to go through.
“Initially I thought there was something wrong with me and I felt dirty … I was just shocked,” she said.
“I think the police investigation fell over because people weren’t comfortable coming forward and speaking.
“Being silent is colluding with the predatory behaviour, and there were three other complaints but they didn’t feel comfortable talking to police.
“There isn’t enough support for people to come forward, but I hope now that behaviours change and we can go to work and things like this won’t happen.”
Ms Williams had wanted the report released earlier, however, the council said its release could have hampered the police investigation, and the finalisation of Mr Freckelton's inquiry into the allegations.
Mr Doyle did not respond formally to Ms Williams’ claims, citing ill health.
Mr Hanney said the “issues that confronted our Council in 2017 and 2018 were very serious”. “We acknowledge the great courage shown by the women – including Ms Williams – who called out the behaviour of Mr Doyle and came forward,” he said.
“Our organisation and those who represent it must ensure that the working environment is safe, equitable and free from sexual harassment.
“Since these events, we have taken significant steps to improve our workplace policies and processes.”
Mr Doyle resigned in early 2018 after then councillor Tessa Sullivan made several claims of sexual harassment against him.
On Monday Ms Sullivan, told the Herald Sun the findings of the report were “not surprising”.
“I stand in solidarity with all survivors of sexual harassment and assault. It shows immense courage and integrity to stand up for what you believe in. I am pleased this second report, like the first, proves what happened and that Robert Doyle is no longer in a position of power to continue to abuse women,” Ms Sullivan said.
Ms Sullivan accused Mr Doyle of a series of vulgar interactions, alleging he made sexually loaded comments and touched her inappropriately. In a 27-page statement of complaint she accused Mr Doyle of giving her strange side hugs, staring at her breasts and commenting on her clothes.
Mr Freckelton’s initial report confirmed four findings against the former Lord Mayor, including that in 2017 he touched Ms Sullivan’s breast in the mayoral car, an allegation he has denied.
Two findings related to Greens councillor Cathy Oke, including a claim Mr Doyle had inappropriately touched her on the thigh during a dinner in December 2014.
Mr Hanney said that Ms Williams had consented to the report being publicly released.
“We commit to our staff and community that we will continue to hold ourselves accountable and uphold a culture that does not tolerate misconduct and supports the calling out of unacceptable behaviour of all types,” he said in a statement.
Mr Freckelton’s report said that Ms Williams, and her psychiatrist husband Dr Mark Walterfang had “compellingly credible” accounts at the Melbourne Health dinner on June 25, 2016.
“Their accounts contained no inconsistencies of any substance (and they) appear to have no vested interest in the outcome of the investigation,” it said.
The report said that Ms Williams emphasised that her encounter with Mr Doyle was “extremely traumatic for her and spoilt the evening which she had hoped to be a celebration for her then fiance’s achievements”.
Mr Freckleton said that other people at the table had been contacted to give evidence.
“None saw inappropriate conduct by Mr Doyle but given the nature of the behaviour in question, the layout of the table and the presence of a substantial tablecloth, it is unlikely that they would have been able to observe the conduct graphically described by Ms Williams,” his report said.
Mr Freckelton said that between January and August 2018, Mr Doyle had been invited eight times to attend an interview on the claims, and on three occasions to supply the names of anyone whom he might wish investigators to speak to.
“He was also extended the opportunity to speak to the investigators on the telephone, to write his account of what occurred … and/or to provide submissions to the investigations through his solicitors,” he said.
“In the period of 14 months commencing 17 January 2018 Mr Doyle did not avail himself of any of the options offered to him to participate in the investigation.”
The report said that through his solicitors, Mr Doyle maintained that the health dinner didn’t fall into the terms of reference for the investigation, and that he hadn’t been well enough to respond to the allegations.
Mr Doyle, who was also chairman of Melbourne Health at the time, has been contacted for comment, as has his lawyer.
Last month, police dropped the two-year investigation into Mr Doyle. It is understood there was insufficient evidence to charge him.
Mr Doyle has consistently denied any wrongdoing.