Defence written question – answered at on 11 October 2011.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on bullying in the armed forces; and in what ways has that policy changed since the statement of the then Secretary of State for Defence of 27 April 2004, Official Report, column 201WH, on Deepcut Barracks.
Bullying and harassment are not tolerated in the armed forces. All service and civilian personnel, regardless of rank or grade, have a right to be treated with dignity. All MOD employees have a responsibility to do all they can to ensure that the working environment is free from all forms of bullying and harassment and that the dignity of others is respected. This is clearly laid down, along with the procedures to be followed if a complaint is made, in the Joint Service Publication 763.
The policy has not changed since April 2004. Its implementation has, however, been reinforced following criticism from the then Equal Opportunities Commission and recommendations made by Nicholas Blake QC in his review of the deaths at Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut. We have, for example, reviewed equality and diversity training to ensure it is delivered to all levels of personnel, and ensured that sanctions are brought against those found culpable of bullying or harassment. In response to the Deepcut review, we established the post of Service Complaints Commissioner in the Armed Forces Act 2006.
The Commissioner provides an avenue for individuals to raise an allegation of bullying, harassment or improper behaviour, which the Commissioner can decide to refer to the chain of command for investigation, and about which the Commissioner must be kept updated. In addition, independent scrutiny of our training environment is now provided through inspections carried out by Ofsted.
Yes0 people think so
No2 people think not
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