LAWYERS for Susan Sharkey, who runs the counselling, co-ordination and support office for the Catholic Church in Melbourne, have sent threatening letters to two witnesses to the state inquiry into how the churches handled child sex abuse.

The letters warn victims' advocates Helen Last and Judy Courtin that if there is ''any publication'' by them to a journalist or anyone that defames Ms Sharkey ''our client will not hesitate to take legal action against you without further notice''.

The letters were sent on November 2, but Ms Last - a consultant for the Melbourne Victims Collective - only received it on Thursday due to various circumstances.

Ms Last, who gave evidence to the inquiry last Monday, said the letter from Wisewould Mahony partner Robert McGirr misrepresented her and intimidated her.

Ms Last said the inquiry chairwoman, Georgie Crozier, warned her when she gave evidence that the large written submission by the collective of more than 50 victims was not protected by parliamentary privilege until it was eventually published on the inquiry's website.