CCTV to protect recruits

The Defence Force installed CCTV cameras in recruit barracks as part of efforts to stamp out sexual harassment by instructors, a report stated.

The CCTV cameras were installed in 2015 during a Ministry of Defence review into recruit training by the NZ Defence Force.

The review identified a range of improvements needed at The Army Depot at Waiouru Military Camp and described recruit training as a risk area for all militaries.

Last month, Major General Peter Kelly removed officers and noncommissioned officers in the command structure at The Army Depot, which trains almost half the NZ Army recruits.

Two members of the leadership team were replaced and five others removed from duties as instructors because of “a number of offences and significant shortcomings”.

Another non-commissioned officer has since been removed from his role after the new leadership found unresolved issues around a rape complaint.

The Ministry of Defence review painted a different picture in 2015, saying no women had reported inappropriate sexual behaviour.

It did warn that recruit training was a high-risk area for all militaries because it involved young people under the sway of senior instructors.

There was also concern about consensual sexual activity that began in training but did not emerge until later.

That had prompted concern and previously been raised in court martial proceedings because of concerns around a recruit’s ability to properly consent “without fear of retribution”.

It recommended specific orders banning contact between instructors and recruits.