The 2016 programme, Operation Respect, launched as a way to cut down on sexual harassment following research that noted “persistent sexism.” Now the NZ Army is piloting the so-called mate bystander intervention training.
“In terms of success, it is going to take us a long time… but we are saying clearly that inappropriate and illegal behaviour is not acceptable from anyone,” says Colonel Karl Cummins, assistant chief of defence human resources. “It's important to say, if you are seeing this, you need to do something about that, which might start with understanding what you are seeing… it's about empowering people to not just be a bystander but to make sure people are safe.”'