Emma Foody
Main Page: Emma Foody (Labour (Co-op) - Cramlington and Killingworth)Department Debates - View all Emma Foody's debates with the Ministry of Defence
(4 days, 19 hours ago)
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Emma Foody (Cramlington and Killingworth) (Lab/Co-op)
The recent report “A Dark Shadow” shone a light on the link between sexual assault and suicidal ideation in the military community. I was therefore pleased to see the announcement from the MOD last week about the removal of sexual harassment investigations from the chain of command—something for which campaigners and survivors have campaigned for such a long time. They are also keen to have reassurance, however. Will the Minister confirm that this is not a continuation of the previous Government’s failed efforts, but a step change in making the process truly independent?
Al Carns
This absolutely is a step change. A tri-service complaints system, removed from the single services, has been called for for a long time. We have taken decisive action to do that, and it will move things in the right direction. Combine that with the violence against women and girls taskforce, and we are double-tapping to ensure that we have the best support for women and, indeed, anyone else in the armed forces.