Sixty women at MoD claim there is a ‘hostile and ‘toxic’ culture in department
Sixty senior women who work at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have complained of a “hostile” and “toxic” environment in the department – and claim male staff are sexually assaulting and harassing them.
Senior civil servants have written to the MoD’s permanent secretary detailing claims they have been “propositioned”, “groped” and “touched repeatedly” by men working in the department, The Guardian reports.
In the letter, the women claim their “day-to-day professional lives are made difficult thanks to behaviours that would be considered toxic and inappropriate in public life, but that are tolerated at the MoD”.
They also allege the government department’s workplace was “hostile to women as equal and respected partners”.
The group of women wrote: “We are spoken over during meetings, we are subject to pejorative language, we receive unwanted attention and face sexual harassment, including intrusive staring, sexualised comments, running commentary about what we wear, how we look, and how we smell.”
One woman alleged she was groped at an MoD social function and claimed she was advised against complaining about the abuse.
A woman who worked overseas also claimed she was “touched repeatedly on the lower back and legs by a senior military officer” – but said his actions “went unpunished”.
Responding to the allegations, an MoD spokesperson said: “We are taking action to tackle the deeply concerning issues raised. No woman should be made to feel unsafe in defence and this behaviour will not be tolerated.
“We also continue to encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed this kind of inexcusable behaviour to report it immediately.”
The FDA trade union, which represents senior civil servants, called on the MoD to launch an “immediate investigation” in the wake of the allegations.
The union’s national officer, Gareth Hills, said: “The accounts of these women’s experiences are deeply worrying. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace.
“The MoD must now take action, including an immediate investigation of these allegations.
“The FDA, along with other unions representing staff at the MoD, has requested an urgent meeting with the permanent secretary to discuss this.”
Additional reporting by Press Association
