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A recent survey has revealed that nearly two-thirds of women serving full-time in the UK’s armed forces experienced sexualised behaviour over the past year. These incidents ranged from inappropriate remarks about appearance to harassment, leering, and even groping. The survey indicated that women were twice as likely as men to face such conduct within the military environment.
Commissioned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the study was part of an ongoing effort to tackle the serious issues faced by women, who constitute approximately 12% of the armed forces. The MoD described the results as “wholly unacceptable” and announced the introduction of a prevention programme aimed at combating unacceptable conduct. This initiative focuses on educating personnel about consent, misogyny, and harmful online influences.
The survey, which gathered responses from over 90,000 military personnel—including both regular full-time members and part-time reservists—shed light on a broad range of sexualised behaviours. Among female full-time personnel, 67% reported encountering inappropriate jokes, pornographic material, or comments about their appearance over the past year. In contrast, 34% of male regulars reported similar experiences. Of the affected women, an overwhelming 93% recognized these actions as sexual harassment. Additionally, 42% of female regulars said they had been leered at, while about one-third disclosed being touched in ways that caused discomfort. Such behaviours were especially prevalent in open workplaces at military homes or training facilities.
The findings follow a high-profile case in 2021, when 19-year-old gunner Jaysley Beck took her own life after suffering sexual harassment and assault. Warrant Officer Michael Webber, who was responsible for the assault, was convicted and jailed last month. Reflecting on the survey, Louise Sandher-Jones, Minister for Veterans and People, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating the results presented a “no holds barred baseline, to fully confront and address the root causes of this issue.” She also highlighted that new standards of transparency and accountability are being established within the Armed Forces. This report comes a year after a Royal Navy investigation revealed that women in the Submarine Service had faced misogyny and bullying, with such behaviours found across ranks but not widespread throughout the service
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