Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service has 'underlying culture of misogyny and sexism', report says
An independent review has found that Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service has an 'underlying boys club culture of misogyny and sexism' - ITV News UK Editor Paul Brand has the latest
A damning report has found that Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service has "an underlying culture of misogyny and sexism". It follows an investigation by ITV News into sexual harassment and abuse of women at the service.
The report says "women have been subject to significant trauma at the hands of male colleagues" including "gaslighting"."Fear of repercussion and isolation" means staff don't feel able to report it.There is a sense of "perpetrators being protected" in a "boys club culture".
"Victim-blaming" was a recurring theme of the report, "such as women being blamed for causing inappropriate conduct or behaviour by wearing certain clothing."There is "sharing of sexist and misogynist jokes" on social media and "pornographic images being shared" between staff.
In January, ITV News exposed sexual harassment of female staff who were inundated with explicit photos of male colleagues and asked for sexual favours, even when tackling fires. Male staff also photographed bodies of dead women in road crashes and shared them.
Back in February a whistleblower told ITV News' Paul Brand that the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service had known for at least a couple of years there have been problems with the culture
Warning: This report contains details some readers may find upsetting
The Chief Fire Officer Ben Ansell told us the service didn't have a "problem with women" and that he was shocked and appalled by what we'd found.But then we discovered his own Assistant Chief had been allowed to retire on full pension despite gross misconduct himself.
Today in a change of tone, the Chief Fire Officer says he fully accepts all of the recommendations in the damning independent review. But we know he asked the author to change some language in it.
Speaking anonymously, a serving female firefighter told ITV News: “I'm not aware of anyone having received personal apologies from the Chief for what's happened to them, and how the service has mishandled it, under his leadership.
"Making generalised statements around them 'welcoming the findings of the report' now doesn't undo the damage caused by the behaviours and the Service's public denial of there being any problems until today.
"I don't see how the service can be expected to recover from this whilst the people in charge during all of these problems, are still in charge now. What I think alot of people want to see is those who know they're responsible for failings to do the honourable thing, by accepting their part in it and graciously deferring to new leadership who can start picking up the pieces and fixing our service."He has declined all requests for interview, despite being answerable to taxpayers.
Alongside him, the Fire Authority, which is supposed to oversee the Fire Service, has ignored all requests for interview since our first reports aired.
ITV News requested an interview with Chair of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority, Cllr Rebecca Knox, whose job it is to hold the Fire Service to Account.
She declined the interview but via a statement offered her support to the Chief Fire Officer while saying nothing about the victims within the service.
The statement read: “The Independent Review of Workplace Culture at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was uncomfortable reading for elected members and I, but we know that the Service will continue to work hard to achieve the recommendations identified.
"We have every confidence that the Chief Fire Officer will take action. In my role as Chair of the Fire & Rescue Authority, and elected members through the Finance and Audit committee, will hold the Chief to account and scrutinise the delivery of the resulting action plan.
"The Authority supported the Chief as he commissioned the Review and we would urge all public authorities to undertake this work to support their staff and ensure the workplace is inclusive for all.”
While the Deputy Chair referred us to the Fire Service press office.
While all of those who've overseen the problems at the service continue in their highly paid roles, we know of several frontline women who've left the service since our first reports aired. They told us they could no longer tolerate the culture - they have been vindicated.
The comments from staff include further disturbing details:Women being given 'she-wees' instead of proper facilities.A male colleague was offered money to stir a female colleague's tea with his penis."The news reports rang true" one woman told the review.
The Fire Minister Chris Philp said: "This report is deeply concerning and the public and those working in services deserve better."
A spokesperson for His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said: “This review has uncovered some deeply concerning issues within Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service, including an underlying culture of misogyny and sexism. We commend everyone who bravely shared their experiences with the review team.
“We are in contact with Dorset & Wiltshire’s Chief Fire Officer regarding the service’s plans to address the findings within this report and improve the culture within the service. We will be closely monitoring its progress.”
Mental health support:
CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35. Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)
Mind: promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems. Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 6pm)
PAPYRUS: Young suicide prevention society. Phone: HOPElineUK 0800 068 4141 (Mon to Fri,10am to 5pm & 7 to 10pm. Weekends 2 to 5pm)
NSPCC: Children's charity dedicated to ending child abuse and child cruelty. Phone: 0800 1111 for Childline for children (24-hour helpline) 0808 800 5000 for adults concerned about a child (24-hour helpline)
Alcoholics Anonymous: Phone 0845 769 7555 (24-hour helpline)
Support in Mind Scotland: Phone 0131 662 4359
If you have experienced rape, sexual assault or abuse, and wish to report the crime, you contact police by calling 101 or 999 in the case of an emergency.
If you’ve experienced a hate crime or hate incident, you can report it to the police. You can also report it if you saw a hate crime happen to someone else.
In an emergency, you should call 999.
You can report it on the True Vision website. The True Vision website is run by the police. Your report will be sent straight to your local police force.
You can also download an easy read version of the reporting form on the True Vision website. You can give the form to your local police station after you’ve filled it in.
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