The principal of a boutique firm in northern NSW has been ordered to pay $170,000 in damages to a former employee over “relentless” sexual harassment, in what the Federal Circuit Court described as “a very grave example” of such harassment.
In his statement, Mr Hughes “attempted to put the blame for his behaviour” on Ms Hill being “flirty and coquettish” and said she wore “alluring dresses to the office”. Her counsel described this as “slut shaming”, a term the Court opted not to use, but instead described the claims as “utterly outrageous”.
“It is the mark of a bygone era where women, by their mere presence, were responsible for the reprehensible behaviour of men,” the Court responded.
Source: Principal to pay $170,000 in damages for ‘sinister’ sexual harassment – Lawyers Weekly