Racist remarks ‘for fun’, young recruits humiliated and mock rape: England’s firefighters are in turn accused of racism, sexism and homophobia in a report published a week after similar accusations aimed at the police Londoner.
This report, released Thursday evening, looked at the 44 fire brigades in England and documents sexist, racist and homophobic remarks and behavior, under the guise of “joke”, in 11 of them.
Roy Wilsher, author of the report, said he was “shocked and horrified” by the findings of the document. Calling the industry a “boys’ club”, he said firefighters “need to move into the 21st century”.
The report details how racist insults were uttered “for fun”, how homophobic attacks ended up on the locker of a firefighter or even how women do not feel comfortable in the various brigades.
We learn in particular how a firefighter who denounced racist remarks saw his accusations questioned by his superiors who threatened to “make his life hell”.
Three firefighters also told one of their colleagues that they were “going to rape her” before jokingly simulating a gang rape.
“Our findings highlight deeply disturbing acts of bullying and harassment in fire departments across the country – and I’m afraid this is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Mr. Wilsher.
According to testimonies, the behaviors persist and are not denounced for “fear of being sidelined”.
This fire service report was published ten days after another investigation concluded that the London police were “institutionally” racist, misogynistic and homophobic.
The “Met Police” – the Metropolitan Police, the nation’s largest force with more than 43,000 officers and staff – are mired in a series of sex scandals and crimes, fueling a serious crisis of confidence.