The Ministry of Defence has outlined the full range of cultural-reform measures now underway across the Armed Forces, following a set of written questions from James Cartlidge MP on sexual harassment, gender-based violence and the treatment of servicewomen.
Responding on behalf of the department, defence minister Louise Sandher-Jones responded on the topic of the Raising Our Standards programme. She said that “sexual harassment and sexualised behaviours undermine the wellbeing of our people and operational effectiveness and have no place in Defence.”
She said the Government had, for the first time, commissioned a comprehensive sexual harassment survey across the Armed Forces, describing it as a “no holds barred baseline to fully confront and address the root causes of the issue.” Although only 17 per cent of regulars and 5 per cent of reservists responded, the minister argued the survey provides “new, detailed, and unprecedented insights” to shape policy.
A Violence Against Women and Girls taskforce is being introduced, with initial hubs in Catterick and Plymouth. According to Sandher-Jones, the taskforce will focus on prevention and the cultural drivers of harmful behaviour rather than simply reacting to incidents.
Across the four answers, she listed the same set of reforms now in motion:
- a King’s Counsel review of cases involving unacceptable behaviour
- the application of zero-tolerance policies
- a new Tri-Service Complaints Unit handling the most serious cases outside the chain of command, currently in pilot
- the forthcoming Armed Forces Commissioner
- new mandatory training for senior leaders on recognising and responding to harmful behaviour
- a Service Complaints App to ease reporting
- greater external oversight from the Service Police Complaints Commissioner
Asked specifically whether any further measures had been introduced since April in relation to the case of Jaysley Beck, the minister pointed again to the wider programme, making clear that it is a long-term reform effort.
Sandher-Jones closed her answer with the assurance that Defence remains committed to “decisive, evidence-based action to protect our people and uphold the highest standards for everyone.”
This is what we need. Cultural change is vital. Never mind equipment. We can do without that.
great idea , good cause taken over by the normal leftie nutters and wet wokes. As always an farce and lead to weaker armed forces full of whinery up set people rather than address the problem which is over sensitive, thin skin people and those in rank living in the past and not know when i line is crossed. Banter is banter, but every one knows the line i speak married to female soldier.
All complaints need to be looked at and delt with but fake complaints need to also be harshly delt with. We all want a fair, open armed forces where women are safe and can work and play safely and respectfully. This like ever over woke lead thing will go too far and mis the whole point. We need the best in military and they need to be safe, but also get a sense of humour and remember what as soldier you may be asked to do. Leadership is shown when know when a line is crossed and people need help or support, and other need be punished if they cross that line. Firmly, fairly and with no bias.
I await many angry replies, my point is you need banter in shit places, bad times but there is a line that must never be crossed.