The Reverend who successfully brought a sexual harassment case against the Ministry of Defence has reported how the Navy denied his claims of discrimination on religious grounds, despite extensive persecution on board the HMS Albion and HMS Manchester.
Rev Sharpe told Premier Christian Radio in an interview that he was repeatedly ordered to remove his dog collar and his Chaplain's badges when in naval uniform and that he was told he could not have his bible and cross out in his room.
Furthermore, Rev Sharpe said, he faced verbal abuse as he was referred to as a "God-botherer" and "Bible basher".
The ex police officer said, "We weren't dealing with a Christian organisation, we were dealing with a bunch of young people with very different faith ideas and standards. It was a challenge and one I was looking forward to, but it did get a bit scary. You're on a ship, floating around in the sea, miles from anywhere. You do feel a touch vulnerable."
Rev Sharpe reported witnessing a number of violent incidents and explicit pornographic material on the ship. "It's a highly charged atmosphere. You can try and unpack the psychology of what's going on. The real problem is of control."
Despite claims that he kept quiet about the abuse he suffered and that he returned to land due to missing his family, the father of four told: "I never kept quiet about it, I tried to manage it. Bear in mind I was there as a Chaplain, I was constantly seeking ways to try and deal with it. You try and deal with it [the persecution, violence and pornography] intelligently, directly with the people using the stuff themselves, but you're up against a brick wall.You try and deal with it [the persecution, violence and pornography] intelligently, directly with the people using the stuff themselves, but you're up against a brick wall.
Rev Sharpe
"I tried getting advice from a more senior Chaplain, when the bottom line came out, this is life in a blue suit. If you can't stand this behaviour you've got to ask if you can stay or not."
Although the Ministry of Defence have now paid Reverend Sharpe an undisclosed sum due to the sexual harassment he suffered while working as a Chaplain in the Navy, they have denied his claim of discrimination on religious grounds.
Rev Sharpe still believes there is a problem for Christians within the Navy. He said, "There is a whole question of faith identity, religious identity, what a Chaplain or Priest is to do [in the Navy], that formed a key part of the problems we had."
He commented, "That doesn't stir up the same tabloid interest as the salacious stuff."
Eventually Rev Sharpe requested to leave. He concluded, "I couldn't get my head around it. I worked in the police service for twelve years in stressful, dangerous environment and a lot of people do it. It doesn't mean that you then let your standards slip and start abusing each other."
