French minister punishes sex harassment at military school

PARIS (AP) — The French defense minister says she has taken strong measures to respond to reports of sexual harassment at a top military academy.

Defense Minister Florence Parly told lawmakers on Wednesday that the sanctions include expelling some students and replacing some staff members at the Saint-Cyr school in Brittany.

Parly said: "It's only a minority (of people), but a minority that tarnishes our institution."

France's Liberation newspaper reported last month that a group of male students made repeated sexist comments and engaged in other harassing behavior with the aim of pushing female students out of the school.