SEVERAL policewomen are now coming forward making allegations about sexual harassment.

Informed sources in the hierarchy of the Service told TnT Mirror that for the past few weeks there have been several complaints from policewomen that they were being sexual harassed by their male colleagues.

“Sexual harassment has always been a problem in the Police Service for policewomen,” a senior policewoman stated.

Mirror was told that some of the complaints include policewomen being touched on their private parts by male officers on an almost daily basis, and forced into sexual relationships.

It was recalled that just recently a senior police officer was suspended for touching a WPC’s breast.

It is alleged that a senior officer has been a culprit of sexual harassment for a long while until this female officer cried out.

The senior policewoman added: “The policewomen who were being harassed were just too embarrassed to come forward and report what they were going through.

“So they kept it a secret for years.

“They are now coming forward one by one, but they are coming forward.

“Yes, we are aware that there are more who are ashamed, but we are confident that they will eventually come forward.”

She assured: “Once there is sufficient evidence, the culprits will be dealt with decisively.”

The issue of sexual harassment prompted a conference for policewomen to deal with such issues. The conference, which was held last month, also dealt with the rights of the child.

Approximately 200 policewomen attended.

The facilitator was Hazel Thompson-Ahye, an attorney at law.

She reportedly tried to convince the policewomen present that they should never be afraid to come forward and make a report if they feel they were sexually harassed.

“Sexual harassment is on the continuum of violence against women,” she told the policewomen.

“All States are required to take measures to ensure that law enforcement officers and public officials responsible for implementing policies to prevent, investigate and punish violence against women, receive training to sensitise them to the needs of women,” she added.

“Even though there is no specific legislation addressing sexual harassment in the workplace, it is a form of discrimination against women, which violates women’s right to equality of treatment.”

Thompson-Ahye emphasised that policies should be developed to deal with this issue.

“The women of Trinidad and Tobago must, therefore, receive training in the areas of a child’s rights and women’s rights,” she added.

Mirror was also told that the Police Service is now working on policies to deal with sexual matters in the Service.