Helpline to report abuse in the forces

A HELPLINE supporting service personnel has been set up to “stamp out” unacceptable behaviour in the armed forces, the Ministry of Defence announced.

Service personnel who experience or witness bullying, harassment or discrimination will be able to contact the helpline, which will be staffed 24/7 by trained advisers and qualified counsellors.

It comes after Britain’s most senior military officer warned the armed forces must clamp down on the “laddish culture” responsible for driving out talented female and minority ethnic personnel.

Using the helpline, which will go live in September, individuals will be able to anonymously report incidents and seek help on how to take issues forward, according to the MOD.

New “active bystander” training is also to be made available, encouraging individuals in all ranks to take a role in intervening, reporting or addressing it.

Meanwhile, updated guidance on sexual harassment will also be circulated around the forces to advise personnel on what they can do if they experience or witness it.

General Sir Nick

Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, said “thoroughly unacceptable behaviour” that “undoubtedly” pushes out female and ethnic minority personnel needed to be stamped out.

Giving evidence to the Commons Defence Committee, he said it was “simply unacceptable” that they had so far failed to “move the dial” on the issue.

A review last year concluded the forces were led by a “pack of middle-aged white men” resulting in unacceptable levels of bullying, sexism and racist behaviour.

The report was commissioned after a 17-year-old female soldier was allegedly sexually assaulted by six male personnel.