'You must speak up': Defence Forces launches campaign to tackle 'unacceptable behaviour'

A survey last year found that some 78% of personnel who experienced unacceptable behaviour did not report it, and cited a lack of trust in the complaints process and a 'fear of reprisal and retaliation'.

The Defence Forces has launched an internal campaign to tackle “unacceptable behaviour” as its chief of staff urged people to "speak up" when witnessing wrongdoing.

The See Something, Say Something campaign was formally launched today by Lieutenant General​ Ross Mulcahy.

In an internal memo, he told senior officers and other personnel that the campaign will run for the next year and “will provide clear information on dealing with behaviour that is not in line with our organisation's values”.

He reminded personnel about the Independent Review Group report which led to the establishment of the Defence Forces Tribunal.

Published in March 2023, it detailed disturbing allegations which included the rape of both male and female soldiers.

Those abused include the Women of Honour, a group of serving and former members whose allegations featured in an RTÉ documentary in 2021 which prompted the review in the first place.

They also include members of the Army Apprentice School in Devoy Barracks, Naas, Co Kildare, and air corps personnel exposed to toxic chemicals without being provided with adequate personal protective equipment.

Mr Mulcahy also reminded personnel about some of the starker aspects of the Defence Forces’ 2025 Value Our People survey. These included the fact that 24% of Defence Forces personnel had experienced unacceptable behaviour in the preceding year.

Some 78% of personnel who experienced unacceptable behaviour did not report it, and cited a lack of trust in the complaints process and a “fear of reprisal and retaliation”. It also found that 43% of personnel reported witnessing “misplaced loyalty” in the preceding year.

Mr Mulcahy told personnel: ​"Remember, we have zero tolerance in the Defence Forces for unacceptable behaviour. If you experience or witness unacceptable behaviour, you must speak up.” 

The campaign launch was revealed in the Dáil by defence minister Helen McEntee on July 16. She said a programme of annual surveys to assess morale, command, climate, and underlying culture has been implemented.

Those abused include the Women of Honour (left to right) Honor Murphy, Noel Brennan, Diane Byrne, Yvonne O'Rourke, Roslyn O'Callaghan, a group of serving and former members whose allegations featured in an RTÉ documentary in 2021 which prompted the review in the first place. File picture: Cillian Sherlock/PA

A bullying and harassment prevention campaign ‘It Stops Now’ has been launched, she said, and rolled out by senior leadership across the Defence Forces.

She added: “An information campaign aimed at tackling unacceptable behaviour, fostering psychological safety and encouraging a speak-up culture will be launched by the Defence Forces in 2026 under the slogan “See Something, Say Something”.

“The transformation of culture in the Defence Forces is progressing and will continue to be a primary focus for delivery.” 

Declan Carville, Defence Forces head of strategic HR, told personnel in an email that the campaign is “one element of our ongoing culture change programme”.

He said it is focused on helping personnel deal with behaviours that are not in line with Defence Forces Values of “respect, loyalty, selflessness, physical/moral courage and integrity”.

The campaign will involve training on issues, including “psychological safety”.

He said it will “seek to raise awareness of the importance of speaking up to address unacceptable behaviour, provide clear guidance on how to and promote a psychologically safe culture”.

“This requires a collective commitment to challenging unacceptable behaviour, supporting those who raise concerns and embedding a culture of zero-tolerance within the Defence Forces," he said.

The Defence Forces was asked for a comment.