Holly Cairns
Question:119. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Defence the steps he is taking to improve reporting mechanisms for Defence Forces personnel experiencing sexual abuse, harassment and bullying. [3631/22]
View answerThursday, 27 January 2022
Questions (119)
Written answers
A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is my duty of care obligation to all members of the Defence Forces. I am fully committed to ensuring that every member has the right to be treated with dignity, equality and respect to carry out their duties in a safe workplace underpinned by a culture of zero-tolerance for any kind of bullying, discrimination, harassment or sexual abuse.
As the Deputy is aware I announced this week the establishment of an Independent Review to examine issues relating to unacceptable behaviour in the workplace. The Independent Review will
- examine current legislative frameworks, policies, procedures and practices,
- assess the pervading culture in the workplace, and on the basis of this work,
- make recommendations on measures and strategies required to underpin a workplace based on dignity, equality mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces.
A number of reforms have been implemented over the last twenty years since the 2002 publication of the External Advisory Group on the Defence Forces and the three subsequent reports from the Independent Monitoring Group (IMG). for addressing allegations of inappropriate behaviour, including harassment, sexual harassment and bullying, which are contained in policy documents and in regulation.
The Defence Forces Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Statement and Action Plan aims to ensure that a transparent culture exists, that encourages personnel to report inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual harassment.
Despite the reforms that have taken place, current and former members of the Defence Forces have been clear that the culture that is pervading, and the application of those policies, systems and procedures for dealing with unacceptable behaviour have not, and are not serving all Defence Forces personnel well.
It is of critical importance therefore that I proceed with this Review to ensure that the workplace is safe for all serving members.
Question No. 120 answered orally.