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Damning report finds sexual harassment, assault rampant within Australia's police force

Xinhua, December 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

A culture of cover-ups and the under-reporting of serious accusations of sexual assault within Australia's Victoria's police force has been revealed by a damning report on Wednesday.

The Victoria Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission found that up to 40 percent of 4,887 police respondents said they had been sexually harassed while at work, which had resulted in mental or physical health problems.

The report also said that victims were reluctant to report any such incidents, with staff being afraid of any repercussions from pursuing the issue.

Of the respondents, 477 admitted to being sexually harassed by colleagues in the last five years, while just a small number, in the single figures, admitted to being victims of serious sexual assault including rape and attempted rape.

"Of extreme concern was the number of people who reported thoughts of suicide," the inquiry also said.

However, Commissioner Kate Jenkins said that just 11 percent of the victims reported their cases to the relevant department.

"The most common reason that women and men gave for not reporting was the perceived negative consequences for their reputation," Jenkins said on Wednesday.

The news follows shocking revelations made by one unnamed junior officer who told the inquiry on Tuesday that "I kept thinking, 'I am going to get raped in a police car'."

In the wake of the damning report, the commission made 21 recommendations to clean up Victoria Police, namely the promise to recruit and fast-track more female officers, and offer a new reporting system for issues such as assault or sexual harassment.

Also touted is a new culture of tolerance, with Victoria Police denying promotions to officers who do not accept the changes, while some offenders could be fired.

The inquiry also recommended that Victoria Police formally apologize to all victims of sexual harassment within the force, whether or not they still work there, while some "financial reparations" should also be made.

"In the light of the significant harm caused, Victoria Police should publicly acknowledge, in the form of an apology, current and former employees who have experience harm or detriment due to sexual harassment and sex discrimination within the Victoria Police," it said.

Victoria's Police Minister Wade Noonan said it was extremely disappointing to learn that such a large number of police felt threatened at work.

He said the chronic under-reporting of incidents would end under the recommendations made by the commission, with a fast roll-out of the new measures touted.

"I think anyone who reads the contents of this particular report will find it deeply disturbing and confronting," he said.

"I think the report will change Victoria Police forever and there'll certainly be no turning back from this point." Endit