HC Deb 28 January 1998 vol 305 cc261-3W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate how many current(a) female and (b) male RUC officers have been the subject of sexual harassment. [22422]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 16 January 1998]: The 1996 Sexual Harassment Survey indicated that of those who responded, approximately 45 per cent. of female and 4 per cent. of male officers felt that they had experienced sexual harassment at some time in their careers.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the annual incidence of sexual harassment within the RUC for the period from 1991 to 1996 in respect of(a) female and (b) male RUC officers. [22423]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 16 January 1998]: The estimated percentages of the annual incidence of sexual harassment, as taken from the 1996 Sexual Harassment Survey, within the RUC for the period 1991–95 in respect of male and female officers are as follows:

Gender 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Female 13.5 13.9 16.8 16.8 14.1
Male 0.7 0.5 1.0 0.8 0.9

The Survey covered only the 5-year period up to 1995.

The number of complaints of sexual harassment received during 1996 were—male 1, female 27.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the extent of under-reporting of incidents of sexual harassment within the RUC; what assessment she has made of possible causes of under-reporting; and what improvements to procedures she proposes. [22425]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 16 January 1998]: Records are not currently available to estimate the extent of under-reporting of incidents of sexual harassment within the RUC.

The RUC has introduced a number of measures to encourage officers to come forward. These include:

  1. (a) The installation of a Confidential Helpline in the Equal Opportunities Unit. This was followed by an extensive poster campaign promoting the Helpline.
  2. (b) The introduction of Harassment Support Officers at local level.
  3. (c) Poster campaigns.
  4. (d) Increasing the accessibility of the Equal Opportunities Unit throughout Divisional and Sub-Divisional roadshows.
  5. (e) Continual input on Equal Opportunities matters in all recruit, probationer, further and divisional training courses.

These measures are continually under review for their effectiveness.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate how many(a) female and (b) male RUC officers have been the subject of sexual discrimination during their careers. [22427]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 16 January 1998]: It is not possible for the RUC to estimate how many officers perceive themselves to be the subject of sexual discrimination.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the annual incidence of sexual discrimination within the RUC for the period from 1991 to 1996 in respect of(a) female and (b) male officers. [22428]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 16 January 1998]: The following table illustrates the number of cases of sexual discrimination within the RUC reported to the Equal Opportunities Unit for the period 1991–96.

Gender 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
Female 4 9 0 6 3 4
Male 4 4 2 8 6 7

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the extent of under-reporting of incidents of sexual discrimination within the RUC; what assessment she has made of the possible causes of under-reporting; and what improvements to procedures she proposes. [22429]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 16 January 1998]: It is not possible for the RUC to estimate the extent of under-reporting of incidents of sexual discrimination within the RUC. However the RUC has introduced a number of measures to encourage officers to come forward. These include:

  1. (a) The installation of a Confidential Helpline in the Equal Opportunities Unit. This was followed by an extensive poster campaign promoting the Helpline.
  2. (b) The introduction of Harassment Support Officers at local level.
  3. (c) Poster campaigns.
  4. (d) Increasing the accessibility of the Equal Opportunities Unit throughout Divisional and Sub-Divisional roadshows.
  5. (e) Continual input on Equal Opportunities matters in all recruit, probationer, further and divisional training courses.

These measures are continually under review for their effectiveness.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if she will identify by rank those persons responsible for sexual discrimination in respect of(a) female and of (b) male RUC officers since 1991; [22430]

(2) if she will identify by rank those found responsible for sexual harassment within the RUC since 1991. [22426]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 16 January 1998]: This information is not readily available and would incur disproportionate cost to provide.