The senior officer at the centre of sexual harassment allegations at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is being recalled from training overseas to enable further investigation and the appropriate disciplinary proceedings.

The JDF in a release today stated that it takes any breach of its Sexual Harassment Policy seriously.

“Since taking office in January 2022, I’ve been strident in my stance against any act of sexual harassment involving any service member within the JDF, regardless of their gender,” said Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman, chief of defence staff at the JDF.

“The situation involving multiple reports accused is an indication that service members recognise that the JDF is serious about any breach against Sexual Harassment (Prevention) Policy (whether verbal, nonverbal, physical, written or graphic), which was crafted during my tenure as Force Executive Officer in 2018.”

Wemyss Gorman is encouraging individuals who may have any information that can help in the investigation to present it to the JDF.

“I am encouraging any service member or civilian that has information with regards to this investigation or any other breach of Sexual Harassment Policy or any other policy to come forward and make a formal report,” she said.

In a statement, the JDF said: “Throughout this process, the JDF remains keen on protecting the complainants’ confidentiality to reduce any opportunity for victimisation or legal mismanagement of the investigation.”

Since the revelation of the allegations, questions have been raised in the media around how Wemyss Gorman will handle what is being considered by some her first major test since being appointed head of the JDF in January.