Corrections’ culture enabled sexual harassment and assaults, scathing review finds
Tuesday, 3 December 2024
Corrections’ “male-dominant workplace culture is an enabler of sexual harassment” and the workplace is tolerant of inappropriate behaviour and is protective of staff with problematic behaviour, a scathing review has found.
The review found a “continuum” of incidents including indecent assault and rape, described by Corrections as unacceptable and unlawful behaviours.
One quarter of Corrections staff involved in the review reported experiencing sexual harassment from another staff member, the review by Litmus said.
The review was launched last year after allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made about several of the department’s staff, some of whom held senior positions, a source previously told Stuff.
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“Women, young people, European, Māori, and prison-based staff were more likely to experience such incidents,” the report stated.
The rate of sexual harassment was higher than the national survey of workers and was likely under reported.
It said there was a “continuum of experiences from the unwanted (e.g., sexist jokes and comments based on gender stereotypes and physical appearances) to the unlawful (e.g., non-consensual groping and non-consensual sex)”.
“Sexual harassment takes place in the workplace, training, social gatherings and online settings.
“Staff who experienced sexual harassment described wide-ranging impacts on their mental health, self-esteem and job satisfaction, safety in the workplace, ability to do their job, adverse effects on employment and job progression, and co-workers and partner relationships.”
Those experiencing sexual harassment had “limited trust in the unclear and inconsistent complaints process”.
“Staff are reluctant to report sexual harassment incidents for fear of retaliation and the loss of team support, increasing workplace safety risks. Shame and self-blame also impede reporting,” the report stated.
Chief executive Jeremy Lightfoot apologised “to those who’ve experienced this behaviour within our organisation and to those who have spoken up and been let down – I am incredibly sorry”.
The review makes six recommendations - including, develop and implement an organisation-wide culture change programme, build Corrections-wide knowledge of what constitutes sexual harassment and how to respond and support effectively and set up effective processes for reporting and responding to unwanted and unlawful behaviour.
Corrections has accepted all recommendations. It has established a dedicated taskforce to address them.
It would also commission an advisory panel “to provide specialist, expert advice on how Corrections can best improve its systems and support staff in a way that is person-centred and trauma-informed”.
Corrections will report quarterly on its progress.
The review itself was not without its own problem. Corrections initially calling consultancy firm EY - which was going through culture issues at the time. BusinessDesk reported in May EY’s $130,000 contract was terminated after Corrections became aware after reporting by Stuff of the EY internal review into behavioural misconduct complaints.