I note the announcement just made by the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity that the footnote in the Report on the Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in the Legal Profession which stated that no complaint was received about a serving judicial officer was mistaken.
I am very disappointed to hear that the complaints made to the Equal Opportunity Commission‘s Inquiry include complaints made about serving and retired judicial officers.
It is important that victims of sexual offending or sexual harassment by judicial officers be given an opportunity to tell their story to the Chief Justice or the principal judicial officer of the Court concerned.
To allow that to occur I have established a dedicated email address (complaints@courts.sa.gov.au) to which complaints about the conduct of any serving or former judicial officer of this State can be sent. Complainants may choose to provide information to me anonymously or may choose to identify themselves.
I welcome the opportunity to listen to the account of any complainant who would like to meet with me. The complainant may be accompanied by a support person of their choice and/or may nominate a judge, a Courts Administration Authority senior employee or a legal practitioner to be present. To ensure confidentiality, the meeting can be arranged at a place away from the Court itself.
I will support any complainant who comes forward, who wishes to pursue the complaint formally, either by referring the matter to the SA Police or to the Judicial Conduct Commissioner. I have approached the Commissioner of Police to provide an easily accessible process for reporting the complaint.
Any offending by judicial officers must be eliminated. Judicial Officers must exemplify the respectful behaviours which the community expects. Any form of harassment is unacceptable.
The Honourable Chris Kourakis
Chief Justice of South Australia
Enquiries: Media and Communications Office
Phone: 82040403 or 0467795291
Email: media@courts.sa.gov.au