Sexual harassment rife in the Armed Force

A new action plan to prevent and deal with sexual harassment in the Armed Forces has been agreed by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) following research to clarify its extent.

Extensive research carried out by independent consultants into the nature and extent of sexual harassment in the Armed Forces, including a survey of all Service women and a series of focus groups, was completed by the MOD as part of the first phase of its Agreement with the EOC. There was a high response rate (52%) and the responses were broadly consistent across the three Services.

The research found that sexualised behaviours (jokes, stories, language and material) were widespread in all three Services. Almost all (99%) of the servicewomen who responded had been in situations where such sexualised behaviours had taken place in the previous 12 months, with two-thirds (67%) having had such behaviours directed at them personally and 15% having had a "particularly upsetting" experience.

The action plan forms Phase Three of an Agreement signed by the MOD and the EOC in June 2005, on preventing and dealing with sexual harassment in the Armed Forces. It demonstrates the MOD’s commitment to tackling the serious issues highlighted by this research. It provides a clear undertaking to create an environment, through strong leadership, in which harassment is recognised as inappropriate and preventable. 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 plan 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 EOC will be working with the MOD to monitor its progress.

The Secretary of State for Defence Des Browne welcomed the next phase of the Agreement saying:

“Over the last ten years our Armed Forces have been deployed across the world in support of our fundamental democratic values – equal respect, toleration, and human rights. They 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. Without this our Armed Forces will not be able to sustain the teamwork and camaraderie they need, to continue to maintain the highest standards in the challenging commitments they face across the world.
More information from the EOC