Exploring The Sexual Abuse in the British Armed Forces

How Common is Abuse in the Military?

The circumstances of abuse within the military are often unique and more complex. It can commonly take the form of initiation ceremonies. For example, the RAF have recently begun an investigation into the sexual assault of an airman after a video emerged of his ‘initiation’, where he was stripped of his clothing and held down and assaulted by his fellow troops.

‘Initiation ceremonies’ are closely related with abuse, and it sometimes feels like there is very little the personcan do, as  the individuals are a position of trust and power.

Abuse in the military can also happen on an individual level, behind closed doors. Women serving in the armed forces in particular have reported cases of rape and sexual assault from both fellow troops and senior ranking men. It can leave victims with severe mental health problems and often causes them to leave the armed forces.

A Sexual Harassment Survey by the Army in 2018 found ‘targeted sexualised behaviours’ towards women, who made up 18% of respondents. It reported that:

• 12% of the women had been a victim of intentional sexual touching
• 7% had been a victim of attempted sexual assault
• 5% had been a victim of serious sexual assault
• 3% had been the victim of rape

Of those who came forward about their abuse to make a formal complaint, three-quarters said they’d suffered negative consequences as a result, and 9 out of 10 of the victims considered leaving the army.

This sadly shows why so many victims are reluctant to come forward about their abuse, as it can leave them feeling as though they have to choose between a career they love and their wellbeing and safety – which should never be an ultimatum.

Director of the Centre of Military Justice, Emma Norton, told The Telegraph that some of the victims she’d represented said that “they would never report a sexual assault to the military police; and would advise against any colleague who is thinking of doing so.”

This means that not only are victims hesitant to report their abuse, but in many cases, they are actively encouraged not to.

Support from an Abuse Solicitor

We understand how difficult it can be to come forward and talk about the abuse you’ve suffered, and we appreciate that any kind of abuse causes a serious psychological impact. This is often worse in circumstances where your abuser was in a position of trust or power, as they often are in the Military.

Military Abuse Claims are usually brought against the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This means that the Ministry of Defence, as the employer, would be responsible for the abuse that you’ve suffered.

If you have any questions about making a claim for military abuse, please contact our Abuse Team. We have supported many victims to get the compensation they need to rebuild their lives and are experienced in dealing with claims of sexual abuse.

What can I do if I’ve Been Sexually Harassed or Bullied in the Armed Forces?

If you’ve experienced any kind of abuse while serving in the armed forces, whether it’s emotional, physical or sexual, we’d encourage reporting this to the Millitary Police in the first instance.

You could also be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

We know the thought of taking legal action can feel daunting, especially if you’re still serving. Our Military Lawyers and Abuse Law Solicitors are experienced in these types of claims and will tailor their service to your individual needs and preferences, so you feel supported throughout.

If you decide to instruct one of our solicitors, we could help you to either:

• Make an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Claim or;
• sue the Ministry of Defence with a Civil Court Claim.

To find out more about how our specialist Military Claims and Abuse Law Solicitors could help you, call us on 0808 239 1287, you are never alone.