OPINION: A failure by the New Zealand Defence Force to eliminate bullying and harmful sexual behaviour among its ranks has been laid bare in a new report.
The review into Operation Respect – the Defence Force's flagship plan to combat sexual violence and harassment – contains damning findings. Implemented in 2016, Operation Respect was tasked with the admirable goal of stamping out harmful behaviour in the NZDF.
The organisation-wide initiative is based on the Canadian Armed Forces’ approach to addressing the same issues but, four years on, the 68-page report makes clear the NZDF has much work to do.
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Report writers Dr Carol MacDonald and Debbie Teale spoke to more than 400 past and present Defence Force personnel and discovered significant challenges to creating positive change.
Chief among them is a "code of silence" that pervades the navy, army and air force, with many personnel unwilling to lay complaints or report serious incidents due to fear of repercussions.
The independent review also found a lack of accountability around the Defence Force's efforts to prevent harm.
Defence Minister Ron Mark has acknowledged the "brave men and women" who shared their experiences with the report writers, and said the NZDF is committed to implementing the report's 44 recommendations.
But he has also expressed disappointment with the findings.
"The review was critical and clearly outlines there is more work to be done in this space. This is not where the Defence Force wanted to be," Mark said.
He has every right to be disappointed.
Incidents of bullying, harassment and sexual assault do immeasurable harm to individuals.
You need only listen to the victims of convicted child rapist Sergeant Robert Roper to appreciate that fact.
One of Roper's victims, Mariya Taylor, suffered humiliating sexual abuse in the 1980s. As a young airwoman, she was groped and locked in a cage by her air force boss on multiple occasions.
After three years of abuse, Taylor fled overseas. Subsequent investigations found little was done to stop Roper's predatory behaviour.
Other high-profile cases include Bombardier Phillip Manning who, in 2015, was jailed for sex-related offending involving three women who were recruits on courses at Waiouru Military Camp when he was their instructor.
Yet the challenges facing the Defence Force aren't unique to them.
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In March, police bosses pledged to take action against bullying after an independent review found a workplace culture that did not always match the public-facing behaviour of staff.
The difficulties of bringing about culture change in a command and control-type organisation are obvious.
Those in positions of authority may struggle to accept the need to listen to those of a lower rank.
But all personnel have the right to speak up and be listened to, especially when it shines a light on harmful or inappropriate behaviour.
The NZDF needs to do better, especially as it relies on the recruitment of young people.
Young men and women rightly won't accept the sort of treatment dished out to recruits 50 years ago.
Our armed forces are no longer the sole domain of a stereotypical soldier.
Today's military relies on the expertise of technicians who may not fit the typical mould.
The NZDF accepts all personnel are deserving of dignity and respect. Now it needs an HR response that enforces that.
