Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to tackle (a) rape, (b) sexual assault and (c) sexual harassment towards women training at Armed Forces colleges.

Defence has made it clear there is zero tolerance to any form of unacceptable sexual behaviour, and this includes sexual offences. Under the Ministry of Defence’s Zero Tolerance Part One (Sexual Offences and Instructor/Trainee Relationships) policy, for all Service People who are convicted of a sexual offence, or who are placed on the Sex Offenders Register there is a mandatory presumption of discharge from the Armed Forces. Similarly, for Zero Tolerance Part Two (Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour – A Victim/Survivor Focused Approach), there is a presumption of discharge for those found in breach of this policy.

Defence is working to ensure that victims of unacceptable sexual behaviour trust they can report such behaviour, have confidence that their complaint will be investigated in an appropriate and sensitive way, that appropriate action will be taken and that they will be supported throughout any investigation. Commanding Officers are directed to take this responsibility to victims extremely seriously and any indications that a sexual offence has taken place must be referred to the Service Police. Ignorance of the policies will not be accepted as an excuse for unacceptable behaviours and an awareness package has been rolled out across Chains of Command.

The Defence Serious Crime Unit, formed in December 2022, has the jurisdiction to investigate the most serious and complex crimes alleged to have been committed by persons subject to service law in both the UK and overseas, including sexual offences, domestic abuse and offences of violence.