Defence sex victims speak
Name suppression in sex assault cases waived to highlight Defence Force’s ‘lack of moral leadership’. Tommy Livingston and Kirsty Lawrence report.
Women preyed upon by Air Force and Navy predators have taken the extraordinary step of waiving their court-imposed right to anonymity to tell military hierarchy, ‘‘enough is enough’’.
Hayley Young suffered years of sexual harassment in the Navy where she served as a marine engineer. Then, while deployed on a training exercise in Britain in 2009, she says she was raped by a male colleague.
The 33-year-old is mounting a legal battle against the New Zealand and British defence forces, arguing they failed to provide her a safe work environment. The High Court this week agreed to lift her name suppression.
Tracey Topp, her sister Karina Andrews and their friend Cherie Ham have also had their name suppression lifted so they can speak out against the vile abuse they encountered at the hands of Air Force sergeant Robert Roper.
The abuse took place in the 1970s and 80s, mostly at the Whenuapai base where Roper, the father of Topp and Andrews, worked in the transport division.
Together, their stories are a litany of examples of the Defence Force’s continued failure to adequately address sexual abuse and harassment.
A In Young’s statement of claim, Rear Admiral Jack Steer is alleged to have spoken scathingly of Larissa Turner – a rating who blew the whistle on sexual harassment when he was commanding the frigate HMNZS Wellington. As Chief of Navy in 2015, he told attendees at a Navy Command Course that his biggest regret as the frigate’s commanding officer was ‘‘having that bitch Larissa Turner on my ship’’, the statement of claim alleges.
The Crown, in its statement of defence, does not address the allegation other than to say it is a matter for evidence.
A After Young stood down from the Navy and detailed to senior officers her experience of abuse, her face was used without her permission on a recruitment marketing campaign to promote a career in the Navy.
A Meanwhile, the Roper survivors have been battling to get a copy of a draft report into how the Defence Force let them down, and recommendations to change its handling of sex assault cases. Although Frances Joychild QC delivered her inquiry report more than a year ago, the women say they have still not been given copies. They were once allowed to look at a redacted copy, under supervision.
In interviews with Alison Mau for the Sunday Star-Times today, the sisters detail a long history of Defence Force failings. As children, they were interviewed by military police about the sex abuse allegations – twice, incredibly, with their father in the room. Nothing was done.
Ham said they wanted to see change implemented, but were cautious. ‘‘If it really does change I’ll be very surprised,’’ she said. ‘‘My gut feeling is that no, it won’t really change. They’re too ‘old school’ – they’re still back in the 70s and 80s.’’
Hayley Young said the armed services culture needed to change.
On a Royal Navy ship, crew wagered buckets of KFC on who could ‘‘conquer’’ her first.
The resistance she experienced from top brass after detailing her rape had shocked her. ‘‘If there had been strong moral and ethical leadership the victims would feel like they had more power. I am extremely disappointed.’’
Young said there were some improvements. ‘‘It certainly feels like they are doing something,’’ she said, ‘‘because they are being told to, not because they want to.’’
Defence Force spokesman Tony Vale said that when the Chief of Defence launched Operation Respect in March 2016, he acknowledged there were still pockets of people who thought it acceptable to belittle, ridicule and at worst harass and even assault their colleagues.
Operation Respect was intended to eliminate harmful and inappropriate sexual behaviour, and compulsory meetings had been held across the Defence Force. To date, 8000 people had completed a three-hour sexual ethics workshop.
A dedicated Sexual Assault Response Team was also in place across Defence Force camps and bases, with a survivor-centric approach.
The Air Force had made a commitment to the survivor group that it would not comment on the report and recommendations of the independent Joychild Inquiry before the group had the opportunity to review and discuss it.
It is understood a sixth complainant has come forward and has launched legal action against the Defence Force and Roper himself, who is serving 16 years in prison.
Vale said the Air Force could not comment on the report until Joychild had amended it in the light of additional information. And it could not comment on Young’s case as the matter was before the courts.
However, Vale said the Defence Force’s commitment to its people was commensurate with the level of commitment they display in volunteering to serve New Zealand in times of conflict and peace. ‘‘This commitment extends beyond service in the NZDF into retirement through Veterans’ Affairs NZ and also includes caring for the supporters of our military personnel, the families.
‘‘Our people choose to serve and in return must expect a respectful and enjoyable place to work.’’