New report shows 'persistent' sexism, abuse concerns in military

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

Chief of Defence Force Tim Keating says research shows more must be done to recruit and retain women in the military.

Research into sexual abuse and harassment has shown 'persistent sexism' exists in the Defence Force.

The NZDF said the research highlighted a need to change military culture and better integrate women into the armed forces.

The Air Force Culture Review sparked the recommendations, which were seen as relevant for other military branches too.

'New research we've commissioned shows that being a woman in our Defence Force is still harder than it should be,' Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Tim Keating said.

'There continue to be pockets of people that think it acceptable to belittle, ridicule and at its worst, harass and even assault their colleagues.

Former Air Force sergeant Robert Roper raped his own daughter and other girls and is serving 13 years in jail.

* Navy commander accused of bum grab at drunken function

* Air Force launches inquiry into sex complaints

'Any actions like this diminish us both in the eyes of our personnel and in the eyes of the public, who rightly demand we have the highest standards.'

The new Operation Respect 'action plan' suggested a 'sexual ethics and healthy relationships training package' be established, as well as a dedicated, professional sexual assault response team.

The action plan said more women were needed in senior leadership roles, and follows high-profile NZDF sex abuse cases and allegations.

'OLD BOYS NETWORK'

Karina Andrews, a victim of sexual abuse her Air Force father Richard Roper carried out, welcomed suggestions more women joined and stayed in the Defence Force.

'If there happened to be more of a presence of females in some of these departments, the old boys' network that runs underneath everything is slowly going to start to disappear.'

Andrews said Air Vice-Marshal Mike Yardley, the former Chief of Air Force, had been a staunch 'ally' in addressing longstanding sexual abuse allegations.

Andrews said she approached Yardley not just because of Roper's crimes, but because she heard of many other 'unbelievable' abuse cases.

'We said to him: Get off your arse, get down in the trenches and find out what's going on. He didn't like it, but he did do it and I think it's an incredibly positive step.'

Andrews said she was confident the NZDF was going to change its culture.

The Air Force Culture Review 2015 informed the action plan.

Reviewers Dr Kim McGregor and Russell Smith identified 'long‐held and widespread sexist attitudes and ongoing gross and derogatory sexist comments' directed at women.

'Older males, particularly those in senior command roles, were identified as often exhibiting anti‐female attitudes and perpetuating harmful behaviour,' the researchers from Tiaki Consultants added.

The consultants said when the initial Air Force Culture Review findings were shared with defence chiefs, the NZDF bosses voiced 'sincere disappointment' that so many sexist attitudes were still present.

Last year, Roper was jailed for crimes including rape, and investigations found little was done to stop his predatory behaviour in the 1970s and 80s.

Roper's crimes sparked a separate Queen's Counsel inquiry, which Andrews said was due for release in late April.

In another case from roughly the time as Roper's offences, an Air Force member who confessed to abusing a young girl was not referred to police.

'Sexual violence is an exceptionally complex and conspicuous problem in New Zealand. The New Zealand Defence Force is not immune, and acknowledges that it has an issue that requires addressing,' the new action plan stated.

Last year Bombardier Phillip Manning pleaded guilty to six of 13 sex-related charges alleged to have taken place at Waiouru Military Camp, involving three women, between September 2011 and October 2012.

Meanwhile, a Navy commander is currently facing a Court Martial, charged with indecent assault following claims he grabbed a woman's bottom several times at a naval bar in 2012.

AIR FORCE CULTURE REVIEW FINDINGS

* Reports from women indicated 'serious issues within the Air Force which seem to have enabled harmful sexual behaviours and a culture of sexism' to persist over many years.

* Hyper‐masculinity, adulation of traditional macho attributes, conditioned obedience, isolation from external perspectives and support, implicit sanctioning of violence and aggression, and alcohol misuse were identified.

* Grossly chauvinist and sexist behaviour, especially from older men, was prevalent.

* Some men interviewed were largely unaware of the potentially harmful nature of sexism, or could not tell the difference between harmful and consensual sexual behaviour.

* Most men and some women believed there was an 'on‐going positive cultural shift in the Air Force', and felt conditions were improving for women.

* Some women complaining of sexual harassment faced 'disbelieving or blaming reactions' which put them off following up complaints or reporting harmful behaviour.