JDF refutes media reports on sexual harassment case against senior officer
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has refuted the media’s reports on the ongoing sexual harassment investigation against a senior official.
Reports are that a senior officer allegedly raped more than 16 females at Up Park Camp, the JDF headquarters in St Andrew, and promoted those who kept the incidents quiet.
READ: JDF senior officer accused of raping more than 16 females recalled from overseas training
But, the JDF stated that: “As the investigation progresses into the alleged sexual harassment case that implicates a senior officer within the Jamaica Defence Force, we wish to refute statements in the media that has asserted that there are a specific number of reports against the alleged accused. It was the JDF’s own internal screening process that resulted in the preliminary investigation of which the implicated senior officer has been recalled to participate in.”
The JDF also said it wishes to remind the public that reports to the media are not official reports that the Force can act on, and that its Compliance Policy provides avenues for all service members to report breaches of the law, more so, breaches of the Sexual Harassment (Prevention) Policy.
It said its Sexual Harassment (Prevention) Policy is aimed at protecting vulnerable groups such as officers, cadets, soldiers, recruits, civilians among others.
“Section 49 of the Sexual Harassment (Prevention) Policy defines “vulnerable groups” as officer cadets, potential officers, recruits (Jamaica National Service Corps/Jamaica National Reserve), JNSC soldiers, civilians participating in on the job training or youth engagement programmes and persons who are seeking employment with the JDF. It is noted that consenting adults will form relationships in the workplace; however, members of the vulnerable group are prohibited from any such proposal by other service members of any rank or gender.”
Reports of breaches to the Sexual Harassment (Prevention) Policy or any other policy of the JDF can be made to the Inspector General at 876-836-2158 or via email at inspectorgeneral@jdf.mil.jm.