Sexual assault and harassment persist in the Army

An ex-soldier has spoken out about the serious issue of sexual assault at Larkhill Garrison, where she served. This base has a reputation for being isolated, with few entertainment options, making it difficult for women in the military. She lost three friends to suicide, including Gunner Jaysley Beck, who died after experiencing sexual assault. The former soldier recounted her own experiences of harassment. On her first day, a senior soldier sent her inappropriate messages. When she reported him, the complaint was dismissed since the officer she told was his friend. Despite her attempts to stand up to him, he continued to harass her. She described a culture where women are often bullied and seen as weak. In one troubling incident, a fellow soldier was raped on base, yet the case was never resolved, adding to the feeling of insecurity among female soldiers. The ex-soldier believes that leadership issues are contributing to these problems. She claimed that there is a focus on diversity but not enough on ensuring safety for women. After enduring her experiences, she managed to transfer to another regiment where she feels safer and more respected. She praised the recent decision by the Ministry of Defence to create an outside body to investigate serious complaints of bullying and sexual harassment. The former soldier is hopeful that changes will occur in the military culture and that other women will not have to suffer as she and her friends did.