Federal cops ‘boys’ club’ unmasked by report sexual harassment and bullying
A BOMBSHELL report has revealed rampant sexual harassment and bullying within the Australian Federal Police.
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A BOMBSHELL report has revealed rampant sexual harassment and bullying within the Australian Federal Police.
The independent report by former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick also identified a domestic violence problem in the force.
Ms Broderick today said “urgent action” was required to change the culture of what some respondents called the AFP’s “boy’s club”.
She praised AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin for his commitment to stamping out the problems and vowing to implement all 24 recommendation in her report.
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Mr Colvin today publicly apologised to serving and former AFP agents for the disturbing and sometimes criminal behaviour they had been subjected to by fellow staff.
He also sent every AFP employee a video today in which he reinforced his strong zero tolerance approach to sexual harassment, sexual abuse and bullying.
“The AFP is a proud organisation, whose responsibilities are at the core of what the Australian community elects in terms of their safety and security,” he said.
“The report I am releasing today has many positives but it also demonstrates there are workplace practices which are unacceptable and things must change.
“I was disturbed to read the level of bullying and sexual harassment within the AFP in the workplace and at AFP events.
“These practices will not be tolerated and I am putting in place actions which will respond positively to all 24 recommendations in this report.
“”The AFP has appointed Assistant Commissioner Ray Johnson to head up a new division within the AFP to lead the cultural reform process.
“The cultural issues and behaviours identified in the report must change and from this point forward they will.
“To those members, past and present, who have been subjected to behaviours and actions that are not consistent with our values, I unreservedly apologise.”
The report also found:
FORTY SIX per cent of women in the AFP, and 20 per cent of men, reported they have been sexually harassed in the workplace in the past five years.
MORE than 60 per cent of men and women in the AFP said they have been bullied in the workplace in the past five year.
MEMBERS are reluctant to complain about incidents of sexual harassment, sexual abuse and bullying as they believe the reporting environment in the AFP is unsafe and they may be victimised if they complain.
YOUNGER female AFP employees are far more vulnerable to sexual harassment than other employees.
WOMEN in the AFP are heavily concentrated in unsworn support roles.
Ms Broderick said while her report, Cultural Change: Gender Diversity and Inclusion in the AFP, contained disturbing material, it was not a reason for the community to have reduced confidence in the force.
“Quite the contrary,” she said today.
“In all my interactions with the AFP leadership team I have observed a strong desire to step forward in a transformative manner.
“Not just tinkering around the edges but delivering strong and lasting impact through bold actions.”
Her report comes eight months after a similarly damning report rocked Victoria Police.
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission report revealed 943 Victoria police officers had complained about suffering sexual predatory behaviour, sexual harassment or sex discrimination at the hands of fellow officers.
Victoria Police chief commissioner Graham Ashton told the Herald Sun in December last year he was determined to stamp out the systemic sexual behaviour exposed in the VEOHRC report.
He also vowed to implement all of the report’s 20 recommendations and has since appointed assistant commissioner Luke Cornelius to make sure that happens.