Throughout 2022, there was a strong spotlight on objectionable conditions in the Armed Forces. Questions were also raised about how the agency handles cases of harassment, abuse of power and trampling. Both Caroline and Julie Sandanger had resigned from the Armed Forces. Nevertheless, they did not experience that what they reported about was taken care of properly by the Armed Forces. The two then came forward openly in the media with their stories. This turned into issues in both news, VG and other media. Chairman Karl Eldar Evang for the Zola prize praises the women for standing up for the cause. Photo: news The attention led to an extensive debate within the Norwegian Armed Forces and in society at large. The defense also asked to be looked at in the maps by external investigators. Now Sandanger and Caroline are getting an award for their efforts. The chairman of the board for the Zola prize believes that someone has the courage to stand up in that way is important for society. – Sometimes it takes the efforts of individuals to shine a sharp spotlight on a case and an injustice that would otherwise have been hidden, says chairman Karl Eldar Evang to news. This is the Zola Award The Zola Award is given to individuals who have shown civil courage. The award is given by a separate association established in Norway in 1998. The association was founded to show respect for individuals who have fought to defend fundamental values in Norwegian society; human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Previous prize winners include: Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen Sumaya Jirde Ali Margareth Olin Amal Aden Erling Borgen Per-Yngve Monsen Emile Zola was a radical writer in France who became involved in the case of the officer Alfred Dreyfus, who was convicted of treason and sent to prison on Devil’s Island. Among other things, Zola wrote an open letter to the French president entitled “J’accuse” – “I accuse”. Dreyfus had his case reopened and was eventually acquitted. Reported about sex-express and filming in the shower The two women have appeared in the media about objectionable conditions and inadequate handling of reports in the Armed Forces. Caroline told news about how she had experienced sexual harassment from an officer in the Norwegian Armed Forces over a long period of time. Julie Sandanger appeared in VG and told about her case where she had been surreptitiously filmed in the shower. Caroline, the whistleblower, was one of five women who had reported unwanted sexual attention from the officer in reports and interrogations. She was able to tell news that the man, who eventually gained the rank of colonel, exposed her to unwanted sexual attention and asked about sex. – I felt put in a situation that as a subordinate you shouldn’t need to be in. It was uncomfortable, she told news. The man himself has told news that he believes the incidents and contact with the women were voluntary and mutual on the part of the women, which the women have rejected. Thanks: – Would not have been possible without all the support Caroline thanks for the prize she has now been awarded: – Being honored with a prize that bears the name of one of literature’s greatest defenders of justice and truth is an enormous honor and a great inspiration – so thank you very much for that, she says. She says that it has not only been easy to stand up in the case she chose to speak out about. So she chooses to also thank everyone who has supported her. – Although at times it has been experienced as a great burden to appear in public, I am happy with the decision. Exactly that would not have been possible without all the support from family and friends, known and unknown – it almost feels like I’ve had a whole army at my back, says Caroline. Caroline thanks those who have supported her: – It almost feels like I’ve had an entire army at my back. Photo: Øyvind Bye Skille / news She receives the prize together with Julie Sandanger. Sandanger had repeatedly experienced that her immediate superiors filmed her in the shower while she was at work for the Norwegian Armed Forces. – It is an honour, says Julie Sandanger to news about receiving the award. She reported this internally, and the man was investigated. Then they found out that the man had 38 video clips on his phone where he had filmed her in the shower. The man was convicted in a confession case, but continued in the Armed Forces. Finally, Julie Sandanger stood up in VG and told what she had experienced. Only after that, the Armed Forces promised to look at the matter again – and it was decided to fire the man. Although the man admitted to news that the man has complained about the decision to dismiss him. Zola chairman: – They started a process The chairman of the Zola prize believes it was important that the two women came forward with their stories for what later happened in the Armed Forces. – They deserve the award because they have raised the metoo issue in the Armed Forces. Thus, they have started a process in which the Norwegian Armed Forces must scrutinize themselves in order to better take care of whistleblowers and become an organization where women can feel good, says Karl Eldar Evang to news. After the many cases of harassment, sexual harassment and other objectionable matters in the Armed Forces, an external investigation was started. The result came in November. The consultants from PWC who had investigated the Norwegian Armed Forces’ handling of alerts concluded that there were a number of errors and shortcomings in how the Norwegian Armed Forces handle alerts. The Norwegian Armed Forces have now promised to create new systems and change how alerts and objectionable conditions are handled. Among other things, they say that they have already changed the routines so that whistleblowers will receive better follow-up and more information about the case they themselves have reported. Also read:
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Defense whistleblowers are awarded for showing courage – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
