Commissioner Graham Ashton apologised to his Victoria Police staff members following the release of the Human Rights report saying there was high prevalence of sexual harassment within the force.

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) has found that sexual harassment cases are prevalent within Victoria Police in addition to high rate of sexual discrimination and gender inequality. Around 5,000 officers were surveyed, excluding US military settings, out of which, 40 percent women said they had been sexually harassed at some point of their professional life, affecting their mental and physical health adversely.

The commission also found out that there were several unreported cases in which the victims never filed a complaint, worrying about its impact on their personal and professional lives. Ashton said that there was no need for a change in the work culture within Victoria Police.

“VEOHRC have provided us with a roadmap to transform our organisation, and create a working environment that is safe and supportive for all employees, and hostile to those who seek to harass and prey.” Aston said in a statement. “We are not shirking this challenge. We are meeting it head on because there is an unflinching determination within Victoria Police to change.

“Care, support and justice for victims is first and foremost in everything we do. That will not change. But by dealing with the issues raised today we can become a better, more cohesive and more effective organisation that can deliver better outcomes for victims of crime.”

Police Minister Wade Noonan was disappointed to see the people involved in sexual harassment cases are those who promised to protect the citizens from crimes. He said that anyone who would read the review would be disturbed. He believed the report would change the image of the Victoria Police forever, leaving no way for redevelopment.

Ashton has promised that the changes will be implemented immediately based on the 20 recommendations made in the commission’s report, which includes a new complaint system, transformed disciplinary system, compensation, recruitment of more women and female officers in supervisory roles to fast-track incidents.

According to the figures noted by the Age , around 40 percent of women have been sexually harassed within the Victoria Police compared to 33 percent women in the community. About 30 percent of policewomen faced unwelcoming touches, hugs and kisses among others compared to 25 percent of policemen. Approximately two percent of female police have been sexually harassed by a colleague, which involved “actual or attempted rape or sexual harassment,” while no male police suffered from any such incident.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.

RELATED STORIES