Police Minister Wade Noonan has pledged to financially back a compensation scheme that will assist victims of workplace sexual harassment, discrimination and assault within the police force.

The pledge comes as police chief Graham Ashton apologises "unreservedly" for the harm done to members in response to a report that has laid bare endemic sexual harassment, discrimination and assault within the force.

Mr Ashton branded the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission report commissioned by police "a watershed landmark" that showed "sexual harassment and predatory behaviour is endemic in the force".

He said he hoped women would look at it and not only see the force's chequered past, but a resolve to change.

"When behaviour goes unchallenged, you provide a tacit consent," he said.

The VEOHRC interviewed nearly 5000 for what is believed to be one of the largest work place sexual harassment studies in the world and laid bare endemic harassment, attacks and discrimination.

It also found that, like the Catholic church, the force had moved perpetrators from station to station, covering up abuse and harassment, while victims who spoke up were treated as disloyal to "the team" and ostracised and shamed, with some even facing physical and emotional abuse.

While Mr Noonan said the state government would fund compensation for victims, he also said it was too early to confirm how much it would cost.

"The report must be a catalyst for deep and meaningful change," he said.

"Anyone who reads this report will find it deeply disturbing, it's a highly confronting report, and it's quite frankly very saddening.

"The most disturbing aspects are the first-hand accounts, particularly of the many women who have contributed to this report in a very courageous way.

"It's absolutely time for change. Victoria Police will never be the same again following this report. There will be no turning back from this point."

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Kate Jenkins commended all those who shared their experiences, as well as the police for wanting a "change" and commissioning the report.

She said many people who spoke to the commission felt broken by their experiences.

Community and Public Sector Union federal secretary Karen Batt said she was shocked by the report's findings.

Nearly 500 police and support staff said they had been sexually harassed by colleagues in the past five years and less than 10 per cent said they had been victims of assault, including rape and attempted rape.

Most were reluctant to report it because they did not want to be seen as "weak".

"I'm shocked, actually I'm appalled by the report's revelations," Ms Batt said.

"The report paints a picture of a completely dysfunctional workplace and an organisation that fails to have a single redeeming feature.

"It's worse when you see the result highlighting the levels of under-reporting.

"There's always been the joke amongst support staff about being the 'sworn at', but now we know there's the leered at and the jeered at."