NZDF sorry over sexual harassment
A former naval officer has been issued a sweeping apology by the New Zealand Defence Force for the sexual harassment she endured while serving.
Hayley Browne (nee Young) has been fighting the New Zealand and British governments for the past five years for not providing a safe work environment after she was allegedly raped by a British naval employee while on deployment with the NZDF.
Her legal wrangling came to an end last week when, in a rare move, an apology was issued by Attorney-general David Parker on behalf of the Defence Force, along with a confidential compensation pay- ment. ‘‘I am really happy with what I have achieved, and that I stayed true to what I believe in and did not give up,’’ Browne told Stuff.
As part of the settlement, the chief of navy will meet with Browne, as well as top naval brass to discuss her experience and receive feedback and advice on how to improve the culture.
The apology covers the way her complaint was handled, the conditions she served under, and how she was retraumatised.
‘‘We are sorry for the conditions you served under in the Royal New Zealand Navy, including the sexual harassment you experienced in New Zealand and on New Zealand ships.
‘‘We are sorry the Defence Force system failed to empower you to raise the issues you faced,’’ part of the apology reads.
The alleged rape took place in 2009 in Britain after Browne had suffered months of sexual harassment and abuse by colleagues – including staff members betting on which female officers could be sexually ‘‘conquered’’.
Despite leaving the navy and complaining about her treatment, her image was used without her permission to promote women joining the armed forces. When she launched legal proceedings, both the British and New Zealand governments wanted the case heard in Britain which she could not afford. The Supreme Court later ruled the case against the British government – which engaged high-profile lawyer Amal Clooney – could not be heard in New Zealand. However, Browne won the right to have the case against the New Zealand government heard on home soil.
When the NZDF offered to apologise earlier this year and work alongside her to change its culture, Browne decided to settle.
‘‘This was always about driving cultural change. Although the military are not there yet, they have made some significant steps in the right direction.’’