Female firefighter was ‘sent video of colleague carrying out sex act’

A FEMALE firefighter has rubbished claims the county’s fire service does not have a problem with sexual harassment after revealing that she was sent videos of her colleague carrying out a sex act.

The firefighter also said she saw male colleagues watching porn and comparing nude images they had been sent.

The revelations come after an investigation was launched into conduct at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

It has been rocked by accusations of widespread sexual harassment after separate reports highlighted inappropriate behaviour from some members of staff.

In January, ITV reported that some male firefighters had taken inappropriate photos of women that had died and joked about them in an informal WhatsApp group, which has led to a police investigation.

In February, another report claimed a senior officer was able to retire on a full pension despite being found guilty of gross misconduct for ‘sexual harassment, being a sexual predator, grooming and coercion’ by an internal investigation.

ITV interviewed Chief Fire Officer Ben Ansell and asked if there was a problem, which he denied.

“I don’t accept that we have a problem,” he said, “I think that we have had some challenging times and we have addressed issues.”

But one female employee who has worked in the fire service for several years but does not wish to be identified has been the victim of what she believes is a culture of sexual harassment.

Jane, not her real name, said: “I’ve been touched when it’s unwanted, assaulted, attempted assault but I managed to walk away in time.

“I’ve been told if I have sex I can get further in my career.”

She said many other female colleagues were treated in the same way, and suggested that offers of help in exchange for sexual favours, and sexual remarks aimed towards women were ‘rife’.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue also further explained Mr Ansell’s apparent denial that such an issue existed in the service, stating that he remains committed to rooting out the problematic behaviour.

“We want to take this opportunity to reinforce that during his interview the Chief Fire Officer did say he was aware of some of the allegations and that he could not comment on individual cases.”

Source: Yahoo News