Defense Ministry starts hotline for bullied soldiers

In an attempt to halt the bullying of younger soldiers by their older colleagues in the army, the Defense Ministry plans to launch as of February 1 a confidential hotline to help the victims. At the Warsaw number 687 99 99, psychologists and sociologists will work from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to help callers. According to Rzeczpospolita, "fala" (hazing) is still believed to occur in the domestic army on a daily basis, although things appear to be improving somewhat. Piotr Urbankowski, deputy Defense Minister for social issues, declared during yesterday's Defense Ministry conference there will not be a climate of tolerance for fala. The Defense Ministry believes that training of lower-ranking commanders for detection of and reaction to bullying should improve. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A6) P.J.