After numerous negative encounters with Dean Hurlston, Melina Sehr—an esteemed member of local government—has stepped up and gained an interim intervention order against Hurlston. He’s the founder of the national, online organization Council Watch. These are serious allegations of harassment that have been raised, as Sehr is now accusing Hurlston. Further retaliating against the court action, Hurlston decided to defend himself in the court.
Hurlston’s team received an affidavit from Sehr little more than 24 hours before they were set to appear in court. So, the hearing in court came soon after. In her lengthy 26-page affidavit, which remained confidential initially, Sehr detailed instances of Hurlston’s alleged misconduct, including an “unrelenting stream of mockery, belittlement and abuse.” In response to Sehr’s complaint, the court has ordered Hurlston to stay away from her. He’s still able to go to the public council meetings.
Allegations of Harassment
Sehr’s allegations paint a troubling picture of Hurlston’s conduct towards her over the past several months. She said that what he’s doing has ramped up a lot. This amendment came about after Victoria Police had served him a notice for an application for an interim personal safety intervention order. The complaints include the use of harmful phishing communications disguised as outreach from real communities. They feature public slurs meant to destroy her credibility.
“Mendacious emails, harassment, slurs, and personalized attacks camouflaged by a broader discourse grounded in political commentary,” – Cr Sehr
Magistrate Mykytowycz agreed with the allegations listed in Sehr’s complaint. He further pointed out that, while she may not have been in actual danger, the patently inappropriate behavior put her through “extreme fear and thus psychological trauma.” As a result, this assessment brings the focus on the psychological impact of Hurlston’s actions on Sehr, adding an additional layer of severity to the situation.
Legal Proceedings and Future Hearings
As it stands, Sehr and Hurlston are next due in court this June. A three-day contested hearing is expected at the Victorian Government’s Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, battling over the enforcement of repeated breaches of the law. The interim order is intended to give very temporary relief to Sehr while she figures out her life in this difficult time.
Victoria Police are facing heavy criticism for how they’ve handled the situation. On April 23, they announced that they would withdraw an application for an intervention order, acknowledging the lack of resources. This withdrawal sparked fears over the adequacy of protections currently available to those who experience harassment.
Hurlston, who is unapologetically a “citizen journalist,” is not alone. He feels his charge is to always be roiling, to be a force that agitates for the community. His depiction of activism pushes the limits of what can be considered political commentary vs. personal harassment.
Community Reactions
The long-simmering feud between Sehr and Hurlston has drawn the hyperlocal community’s attention. It raised alarms about the increasing danger of our political discourse’s civility. As discussions evolve, residents are left to grapple with the implications of such allegations on local governance and community trust.
Local leaders aren’t concerned just about the litigation’s impact on the wallet. They worry that when people are afraid or intimidated in their political lives, it shuts down free and open dialogue. It’s a case that points to the challenges that emerge when limited personal agendas overtake public priorities.
