This story confirms that a former justice of the High Court of Australia sexually harassed multiple judicial clerks and women lawyers. I read it with sadness and anger, but sadly without much surprise: https://www.smh.com.au/national/high-court-inquiry-finds-former-justice-dyson-heydon-sexually-harassed-associates-20200622-p5550w.html?fbclid=IwAR0EIdKn9NhIA6pXW-IRvEeg7Te6tlBnZfiN-N43XfKZ5d2p06eWkM8JPHU

What I see is the courage of women who protected themselves against a powerful predator in a thousand direct and indirect ways, which generally didn't include reporting him. Some of these women were lost to the legal profession as a consequence of their experiences.

It would be remiss to overlook that there *were* reports - at Oxford and at the University of Canberra, at the very least. A pattern emerges: these institutions do at least appear to have acted on the immediate report, but nothing further with respect to Heydon J's employment.

One young woman asked Heydon J to think of his wife and children, how much his behaviour would hurt them, and how much he had to lose if his behaviour became public. Her kindness and empathy - in impossible circumstances - floors me.

Another hand delivered a letter to him, to ask him to stop. Hand delivered, presumably, so that it would not be at risk of being intercepted. Imagine the lengths these women went to, to find mature and compassionate ways to tell Heydon J that his behaviour was way out of line.

Some of this behaviour was observed by others, and it is said to have been an 'open secret'. I am reflecting on how the legal profession and academy create idols out of the judges on our top courts. On the pressures we thereby impose on brilliant young law grads ...

who are told they've won the lottery when they are offered a clerkship. And how that sets them up to believe that they must accept misbehaviour or that they must handle it, alone, or that their only good option is to leave the profession - when things go wrong.

And how that discourse also concentrates power in the hands of a judge who acts in a predatory - even criminal - manner.

Oh yes, Heydon J denies any wrongdoing and his lawyer has stated that the HCA investigation was not conducted by a judge, lawyer or tribunal. (It was conducted by the former Inspector-General of Intelligence & Security ...)

For young women - and men - who are hoping to clerk, I hope you follow your dream. Know your worth: you don't need to accept behaviour in this workplace that you wouldn't accept elsewhere.

And know your allies: many of those law profs who write your reference letters do so because they think the world of you, they know your character, and they will be on your side if you need support and advice. Find people who'll have your back, and hang onto them.