In the wake of the suicide of Corporal Douglas “Dougie” Hughes the Prime Minister has expressed confidence in the Defence Force’s policies and procedures for GLBT staff. What are those procedures? And what is the role of support group OverWatch? Corporal Dougie Hughes Corporal Hughes’ tragic death in Afghanistan was worlds away from the glowing, proud members of the New Zealand Defence Force who marched in the Auckland Pride Parade last month. They were part of a group, OverWatch, which was set up to act as a peer support group for gay, lesbian and trans military personnel. That group was created while Corporal Hughes was in Afghanistan, and just a few months before he took his own life. While the details of the Court of Inquiry into his death have been suppressed, his family has made it clear that before he died on April 2, 2012, Corporal Hughes was struggling with his sexuality, felt he had been bullied and harassed about it, and had just been harshly rejected by a soldier he had feelings for. The NZDF says it’s unable to comment on the Court of Inquiry report, as it’s suppressed. However it has provided GayNZ.com details of OverWatch’s purpose and what personnel can do if they feel they are being harassed or discriminated against: Members of OverWatch marching in the Auckland Pride Parade “Since January 2012 the NZ Defence Force has provided a support group called OverWatch for serving members of the NZDF GLBTIQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning) community, and their allies and families. “OverWatch directly contributes to the NZDF’s goals of employment equality and diversity, by representing and supporting members of the GLBTIQ community who are currently serving or have served New Zealand, whether as part of its Regular Forces, Reserve Forces, or as civilian members of staff. “The aims of the group are to: represent the interests of GLBTIQ personnel throughout the NZDF promote the welfare of GLBTIQ personnel raise awareness and publicity of GLBTIQ issues throughout the NZDF provide a channel of communication between GLBTIQ personnel and the NZDF via the Wellbeing Centre of Excellence provide a means by which NZDF GLBTIQ personnel can meet in a private and safe environment to discuss GLBTIQ issues and that facilitates interaction and communication between personnel form a support network of GLBTIQ personnel within the NZDF oppose discrimination and inequality, particularly on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity ensure that the NZDF fully meets its obligations and commitments under the Defence Act 1990 and the Human Rights Act 1993. “In addition to this, OverWatch provides support, guidance and advice to NZDF managers and those in positions of command in dealing with GLBTIQ issues. “OverWatch has just begun to build its presence throughout the wider NZDF. Knowledge of the group has been through word-of-mouth until recently when CDF gave permission for OverWatch to participate in various GLBTIQ public events throughout the country, and to do so in uniform. “Membership to OverWatch is entirely at individual discretion. “OverWatch members are not counsellors. If approached by someone who needs guidance outside of their level of expertise, members will refer that person to appropriate support, including NZDF psychologists and padres. “OverWatch directly contributes to the NZ Defence Force’s goals of employment equality and diversity, by representing and supporting members of the GLBTIQIQ community who are currently serving or have served New Zealand, whether as part of its Regular Forces, Reserve Forces, or as civilian members of staff. “NZ Defence Force is committed to managing harassment issues through a network of anti-harassment advisors. There are 340 anti-harassment advisors, covering every Service, every location, including within deployments to Afghanistan and East Timor. That’s about one advisor available to every 50 people in the Defence Force. “Our people are actively encouraged to directly seek out an Anti-Harassment Advisor (AHA) if they have experienced any act of harassment or discrimination.” *Members of OverWatch have been unable to comment to GayNZ.com as they have been told they can't speak to the media about Corporal Hughes. Jacqui Stanford - 10th March 2013