Over 100 reports of sexual harassment have been made to the New Zealand Defence Force from staff over the past two years. Women made 86 disclosures and men made 22 disclosures of sexual harassment.
This includes indecent assault, sexual violation, indecent acts, and also the unsolicited sharing of sexualised video material.
Debbi Tohill from Rape Prevention Education says hierarchical organisations are particularly prone to harassment and bullying.
A note: In the interview Wallace Chapman refers to over 100 women reporting sexual assault in the military. This figure is incorrect. Between 1 July 2016 and 26 October 2018 there were 126 disclosures of sexual offences made to the NZDF. Of these disclosures 18 related to incidents that happened before the person joined the NZDF. Others are disclosures of sexual offences committed before 1 July, 2016. 86 of the disclosures about incidents since joining NZDF were made by women and 22 by men.
The NZDF says it launched Operation RESPECT in 2016 as a long-term change programme to eliminate harmful and inappropriate sexual behaviour in the New Zealand Defence Force, and ensure a professional, respectful,, and safe work place for all. OP RESPECT is a multi-discipline programme including work on the NZDF’s culture, and its policies, processes and practices.
