Blog creates avenue for victims of sexual misconduct in the law profession

McVeagh revelations suggest a culture of sexual harrassment in law profession. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Victims and witnesses of misconduct in the law profession now have a place to anonymously vent their concerns.

After the McVeagh revelations a legal researcher has set up a blog to enable women and men in the legal profession to anonymously share their experiences of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

Russell McVeagh chief executive Gary McDiarmid confirmed last month that the firm had received "serious allegations" about events in Wellington more than two years ago.

It was understood the allegations involved students in the firm's summer law-clerk programme.

"Where allegations were made, we immediately conducted a full internal investigation at the time and initiated a formal process. Those who were the subject of the allegations left the firm following the investigation," McDiarmid said.

Zoe Lawton, a contractor for the chief victims advisor to the Government, created the blog to provide " the opportunity for people to share what they have witnessed in the workplace and what they would like employers to do differently".

"The response to the blog has been quite overwhelming."

A printed copy of all the responses in the #metoo blog would be provided to the NZ Law Society on April 9.

Within days, the site had 12 posts already from men and woman in the industry who had a story about the law profession's workplace culture.

All six of New Zealand's law schools have cut ties with Russell McVeagh after a series of accusations that suggested a culture of sexual harassment was rife within the firm.

AUT, Waikato, Victoria, Canterbury and Otago universities all said they had temporarily banned any Russell McVeagh-related events.