Sexism and Misogyny in Australian Policing: A Culture of Harm

Sexism and misogyny have plagued Australian policing for decades, with women subjected to degrading and humiliating experiences, including strip searches, sexual harassment, and assault. A class action lawsuit in New South Wales, encompassing 3,000 alleged victims, highlights the systemic issue of unlawful strip searches, disproportionately targeting young girls and women. The culture of sexism and misogyny within policing is not unique to Australia, with similar issues reported in Western Australia, Queensland, and Victoria. Despite decades of reports and recommendations, little meaningful change has been implemented, with police and government responses often dismissing or downplaying the problem.

Key Takeaways:

• Strip searches, disproportionately targeting young girls and women, have been a common tactic in Australian policing, with 3,000 alleged victims in a class action lawsuit in New South Wales.
• The culture of sexism and misogyny within policing is not isolated to Australia, with similar issues reported in Western Australia, Queensland, and Victoria.
• Despite decades of reports and recommendations, little meaningful change has been implemented, with police and government responses often dismissing or downplaying the problem.
• Reports have shown that female officers are the most likely to be subjected to harassment and that a culture of misogyny and sexism persists within policing.
• Western Australia's police commissioner admitted to a "boys club culture" issue within the force, while the Richards inquiry in Queensland found evidence of sexism and misogyny and predatory behavior.
• Victoria has a long history of this behavior, with a 1988 discussion paper criticizing the treatment of sexual assault victims who reported or complained to police, and a recent audit showing evidence of sexual impropriety and predatory behavior.
• There are no mandatory reporting requirements for police complaint data in Australia, making it difficult to gauge the full extent of the problem.
• Lessons learned from past reports and findings are often quickly forgotten, and government inquiries and investigations often fail to acknowledge the issues have been discussed before.
• Identified reforms are not always implemented, and the cycle of reform in policing is seen as "cyclic."

Statistics:

• 3,000 alleged victims of unlawful strip searches in a class action lawsuit in New South Wales.
• 26.9% of sworn personnel in New South Wales are female officers.
• Reports of sexual harassment were among the most common complaints in a 2020 review of workplace complaints by New South Wales' police watchdog.
• Sexually misconduct complaints are rising in Western Australia, with the police commissioner admitting to a "boys club culture" issue.
• A Queensland police sergeant who engaged in predatory sexual conduct was still working with the force in 2023, despite the Crime and Corruption Commission recommending dismissal in 2022.
• In Victoria, an audit showed evidence of sexual impropriety and predatory behavior, and a police database was used to stalk vulnerable women and initiate sexual relationships.

Sources:

• The Conversation (Au and NZ) -- By Michael Cain, Associate Lecturer in Criminology, Deakin University
• "From strip searches to sexual harassment, Australian policing has long been plagued by sexism" -- The Conversation (Au and NZ)
• "Operation Shorewood" report (2020)
• Richards inquiry in Queensland (2022)
• Victoria's police watchdog reports (2015, 2023)
• The National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line -- 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)