Shock as military sex attacks soar
MoD document reveals reports of rape have doubled in 6 years
The number of rapes reported on Britain’s military bases has doubled in the past six years, figures reveal.
Some 40 investigations were launched last year – up from 20 in 2015.
The rise comes despite the MoD putting up posters at barracks reminding soldiers they must seek consent.
The overall numbers of sex attacks on female personnel have soared by more than 50 per cent over the same period, according to Ministry of Defence figures.
Last night a senior lawyer said more must be done to stop women suffering sexual violence at work.
Emma Norton, founder of the Centre for Mi l itary Justice, represents dozens of former and serving members of the Armed Forces who have been assaulted by colleagues.
She said : “The victim, usually a woman, is almost always seen as the problem – interfering with the unit’s so-called operational effectiveness by reporting her assault and insisting on some sort of accountability either by reporting the crime or by trying to raise an internal complaint.
“In almost all of our cases, the experiences for victims have been career-ending and life-changing.”
In 2015 there were 153 sex crime investigations within the Armed Forces but last year that figure had increased to 239.
The figures are in an MoD document cal led Murder, Manslaughter and Sexual Offences in the Service Justice System: 2021.
The MoD revealed that last year 96 troops were court-martialled for sex offences and, of those, 59 were found guilty. It is not known how many of the 40 reported rapes resulted in a conviction. In March, Thomas Herrington, 19, was convicted of sexually assaulting a female colleague. The soldier was cleared of rape after telling the court his victim liked rough sex.
The MoD said: “Sexual assault or harassment has no place in the Armed Forces and anyone convicted of a sexual offence will be discharged. We are taking decisive action to stamp out all inappropriate behaviour and improving reporting mechanisms so personnel feel confident that allegations will be acted upon.”