The one thing that makes a whistle-blower vulnerable, more than anything else, is the lack of response from their employer. If their employer does not act on the disclosure and colleagues of the whistle-blower observe a lack of action, they will assume that the person who has spoken up has done so without any just cause. It makes the individual very vulnerable. It puts them in a very vulnerable position to have their employer ignore their concern.
At a more extreme level here, we had cases involving two police officers and a chief of police who subsequently resigned after a major controversy arising from police corruption, petty corruption. Two police officers had exposed this corruption and then their actions were described in Parliament by the chief of police as disgusting. This served to further isolate the two men and put them under enormous pressure.
It's vitally important that employers are seen to take action. That's why we're working closely with them here and we're more than happy to share our experience with the committee in working with public bodies in ensuring that action is taken in response to concerns.