United Kingdom: after the police, firefighters accused of racism and sexism

MISE À DAY

Racist remarks 'for fun', humiliated young recruits and mock rape: England's firefighters are in turn accused of racism, sexism and homophobia in a report published a week after similar accusations against London police. 

This report, released Thursday evening, looks at the 44 fire brigades in England and documents sexist comments and behavior , racist and homophobic, under the guise of “joking”, in 11 of them.

Roy Wilsher, author of the report, said he was “shocked and horrified” by the findings of the document. Calling the sector a 'boys' club', he said firefighters 'need to move into the 21st century'.

The report details how racial slurs were uttered 'for fun', how homophobic attacks found themselves on a firefighter's locker or how women do not feel comfortable in the different brigades.

We learn in particular how a firefighter who denounced racist comments had his accusations questioned by his superiors who threatened to “make his life hell”.

Three firefighters also claimed to a coworker that they were “going to rape her” before jokingly faking a gang rape.

“Our findings highlight deeply disturbing acts of intimidation and harassment in fire departments across the country – and I'm afraid that's just the tip of the iceberg,” Wilsher said. denounced for 'fear of being left out'.

This report on firefighters was published ten days after another investigation concluded that 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 – is mired in a series of sex scandals and crimes, fueling a serious crisis of confidence.