MoD launches anti-harassment plan

A new action plan to prevent and deal with sexual harassment in the Armed Forces has been launched by the Ministry of Defence.

The announcement comes after a survey by the MoD and the Equal Opportunities Commission found that offensive jokes, stories, language and material were widespread in all three armed services.

Around 99% of the servicewomen who responded to the survey also said that they had been in situations where such "sexualised behaviours" had taken place in the previous year.

And the survey found that 15% of servicewomen had suffered a "particularly upsetting" experience, while 67% said that they had had such behaviours directed at them personally.

Defence Staff Chief, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said: "It is clear from the research we have conducted that we have a problem with which we must deal urgently. This is not about political correctness. It is about operational effectiveness. Our success as Armed Forces depends fundamentally on respect, trust and mutual interdependence. Anything that weakens those bonds of trust and respect weakens us as a fighting force. Harassment does just that, so it is crucial that we deal with it."

The MoD said that the creation of the action plan demonstrated its commitment to tackling the issues highlighted by the research.

In a statement, the MoD said: "The action plan aims to ensure that leaders in the Armed Forces take seriously their responsibilities to deal with harassment, by handling complaints appropriately and implementing effective monitoring arrangements.

"Service personnel will be encouraged to offer their views on how to prevent and deal with sexual harassment.

"The action plans commits the MoD to delivering real improvements for service personnel, including increased confidence in the complaints system and a reduction in the number of women reporting that unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature had been targeted at them."

The MoD said that the EOC would be working with them in order to monitor the progress of the action plan.

Defence Secretary Des Browne admitted that there were "serious issues" which needed to be addressed. He said: "They [the Armed Forces] are role models and standard-bearers for the values they defend. It is, therefore, absolutely vital that these values are clearly upheld within our Armed Forces themselves, and that all our service men and women feel respected and valued regardless of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation."

Chair of the EOC, Jenny Watson, said: "Sexual harassment is a serious problem which can cause great harm to individuals and damage entire organisations.

"We'll be working with the MoD over the coming months as they improve working conditions for service personnel, and working together, we hope to ensure that this commitment translates into real improvements for the men and women who do such a vital job for our country."

(KMcA)