HRC Closes Investigation: Bermuda Regiment
The Human Rights Commission [HRC] released the findings from its investigation into allegations of sexual harassment in the Bermuda Regiment, saying they received no complaints at all, and have closed the investigation.
A statement from the Regiment said the HRC wrote to the Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment informing him that they received no complaints, and have discontinued their investigations, which began in March 2010.
“The Commission had apologised for the length of the investigation but had wanted to ensure every opportunity for potential complainants, or representatives on their behalf, to come forward,” said a statement from the Regiment.
“Despite requesting such responses in the media, no complaints had been forthcoming. The Commission had commended the Regiment’s co-operation with the Commission in the investigation and what it called the ‘robustness’ of the Regiment’s procedures to deal with such complaints.”
The HRC did recommend that the Regiment make clearer the right of potential complainants to take their concerns direct to the HRC or Police, and the Regiment said they have “accepted this and will have these recommendations in effect by the end of the week.”
The Government also released a statement confirming the HRC’s findings, saying that public pleas were made encouraging people “to come forward to the Commission and provide information as to any acts of sexual misconduct that they believed they were subjected to at the Bermuda Regiment.”
“Despite this encouragement the Commission received no complaints relating to the allegations,” a Government spokesperson said.
The allegations have been in the public eye again recently due to the conviction of Glenn Brangman — a former Regiment Officer — for sexually assaulting a young man.
The Bermuda Regiment has previously noted that the incident occurred while Mr Brangman was working in his capacity with the Bermuda Housing Corporation [BHC], however allegations had been made in the community in reference to Mr Brangman’s conduct while serving in the Regiment.
Speaking with Bermudians Against the Draft founder Larry Marshall Sr., he noted that the Commission said “have no authority to investigate complaints that are more than two years old from the date of the alleged contravention.” Mr Marshall is expected to speak more in depth on the matter later today.
The full letter to the Regiment from the Human Rights Commission is below [PDF here]:
