Over 30 percent of women in the Polish Armed Forces have been victims of, or have been witness to, bullying and almost 20 percent have been on the receiving end of sexual harassment, finds a survey. 

Almost 140 female soldiers, of 1,000 serving in the Polish army, participated in a survey conducted by the Military Office for Social Research in November 2009. The survey, commissioned by Defence Minister Bogdan Klich to determine the condition of females serving in the army, was carried out in land and air forces and navy among female soldiers of different military rank.  

The survey shows that 12 percent of females fell victim to bullying and 21.5 percent witnessed such behaviour. Six percent of the respondents claimed that they had been sexually harassed and 12.6 percent claimed to be aware such practice, although they did not experience it personally.  

According to the survey, female soldiers are often exposed to sexually driven remarks and provocations. Six percent of respondents said that every so often they get indecent proposals and requests to kiss, hug or strip; 11 percent of the respondents think that the Polish Armed Forces are not ready for having female soldiers serving in their ranks.  (mg) 

Source: PAP