Reports of sexual harassment in Israel army up 10%

The Israeli army has launched an awareness campaign on sexual harassment after a ten per cent increase in reported cases, Israel Hayom reported yesterday.

The increase in cases has been linked to increased awareness of sexual harassment and understanding, the paper said.

A poll conducted by the army a couple of months ago found that one in six female soldiers has been exposed to sexual harassment at least once during her term in the army, although actual figures could be much higher.

According to Quds Press, Israeli newspaper Haaretz had reported that the poll found that most of the complainants said they were sexually harassed by senior officers in the army and reserve forces.

“As part of its fight to eliminate sexual harassment, the IDF [Israel army] is introducing a new educational computerised programme that all soldiers, from private up to the chief of staff, will be required to watch at least once a year,” Israel Hayom said.

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