The woman on the other end of the phone won't share her real name, or her phone number. It's safer that way, she says.

Her colleague - a male police officer - terrifies her. He's a bully, and already suspects her of "dobbing" to the police review. "What if he runs me or my daughter off the road?" she says.

The next woman is younger, agitated. Jittery. Her story comes out in a quick, miserable rush.

A senior colleague targeted her; harassed her, stalked her. One night he sexually assaulted her. She never reported it. Now she's traumatised, and getting psychiatric treatment. She wants to talk.

The next day she emails: "I'm really sorry but I'm struggling. I just can't. I hope there is someone else who is brave enough to speak."

A consistent thread runs through this exhaustive review of a misogynistic culture within Victoria's police force: fear.

None of the women I interviewed – in public parks, in suburban fast-food restaurants, on the phone - said they could identify themselves without retaliation.

Most are still employed by Victoria Police, although some are on leave. Their fear was palpable, their collective silence speaks volumes. And are we surprised?

One said speaking up was "career suicide". Making an internal complaint had already hindered her attempts to get promoted or a pay rise.

Another, her husband a senior police officer of two decade's experience, simply fears him. Their 15-year marriage has been corroded by his ferocious violence, and his colleagues have looked the other way. "He has a gun", she says with a tired shrug.

The Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's 350-page review is an excoriating account of the hierarchal "boy's club" mentality it found was widespread at Victoria Police.

Likely the largest survey of workplace sexual harassment worldwide, (with the exception of US military studies), it shows women at Victoria Police, as well as gay and lesbian employees, work in an entrenched culture of sexual harassment and homophobia.

Victoria Police has drawn praise for its strong focus on family violence. Yet systemic violence – both psychological and physical – is common within its own ranks. Female police members are only too aware of this painful irony:

"Violence against women in the force is a form of family violence because Victoria Police is "home" for so many people. It's our blue family. But it's not called out," said one.

These findings are an indictment on the leadership of Victoria Police for failing to look after some of the youngest and most vulnerable employees in their care. These victims are left with poor mental health, stress, isolation, stagnant careers and economic loss.

And it's further evidence - as if we need it - of how Australian society is still cruelled by gender inequality and violence. Consider the revelations of sexism in the Australian Defence Force, or the treatment of female surgeons and academics.

About one Australian woman a week is murdered by their partners or ex-partners. Women are sexually harassed on the street and at work, viciously trolled online, stymied in their careers and consistently treated as second-class citizens.

Sexism is not a problem discreet to Victoria Police. But its insular, hyper-masculine culture has created a fertile setting for abuse.

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