MOD to launch anti-bullying helpline in bid to modernise

THE Ministry of Defence is to launch a 24-hour anti-bullying helpline in the wake of sexual assault allegations.

Service personnel who experience or witness bullying, harassment or discrimination will be able to contact the helpline, which will be staffed by trained advisers and qualified counsellors.

It comes after General Sir Nick Carter, the Head of the Armed Forces, warned the Commons defence select committee earlier this week that the military must stamp out its “laddish” culture and “often much worse than that, thoroughly unacceptable behaviour”. He told the committee that “we undoubtedly push some of the really talented female, but also black, Asian and minority ethnic people that we have in the Armed Forces, out after only a few years”.

It follows a letter Sir Nick wrote to all military personnel last month in which he implored “all servicemen and servicewomen to live by our values and standards, to approach every day with an open-minded attitude that sees the potential in everyone, refuses to allow intolerance and unacceptable behaviour, and is committed to seizing the opportunities that empowerment offers”.

The helpline, which will go live in September, enables personnel to anonymously report incidents and seek help on how to take issues forward.

New “active bystander” training will also be encouraged, which aims to teach individuals in all ranks how to intervene or report unacceptable comments or actions. Meanwhile, updated guidance on sexual harassment will also be circulated around the Forces.

The action has been prompted by a report by Air Chief Marshal Michael Wigston, published last year, after a 17-year-old female soldier was allegedly sexually assaulted by six male personnel.

Some 36 recommendations were made as part of the report, all of which have been accepted by the MOD. An independent review led by Danuta Gray, a non-executive board member and chair of the committee will begin next week.