Episode description

Issy Vine is a former Metropolitan Police 999 call handler turned campaigner for institutional accountability and violence against women and girls prevention. After five years working in the Met, Issy left the force following experiences of workplace misogyny and harassment that were inadequately addressed by institutional processes.

She reported a colleague for racist, misogynistic comments and following her home—he was dismissed for gross misconduct at Scotland Yard, then rehired four months later when the appeal chair deemed dismissal "too harsh" and also claimed the VAWG campaign and Casey Review had too much influence on misconduct panels. When Issy escalated her concerns, her report was hidden for five months.

Of the Coalition’s four pillars (acknowledgement, apology, accountability, amends), Issy prioritises acknowledgement and apology which institutions resist because it means admitting failure. She argues that politicians cannot claim to care about ending violence against women and girls whilst enabling it within the very institutions meant to tackle it.

Content warning
This episode discusses violence, abuse, workplace harassment, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

Key quotes
"The colleague that I reported who said the most horrific things and escalated and followed me after work was just allowed to carry on taking reports and stuff for the whole time he was under investigation. And I just think that's really gross."

"No one should be able to mark their own homework."

"If you really want to end violence against women and girls, you need to really, really focus on policing first."

"I just want you to acknowledge what you've done and I just want you to apologise for what you've done and acknowledge what you put me through when all I did was just sign up to work for you to help."

"The force operates on gaslighting tactics. They are very silent, so they make you wait and wait and wait so you just feel like you don't get responses for ages."

Contact
Email: press@addresstheharm.org
Instagram / TikTok / X @addresstheharm
Website: www.addresstheharm.org

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