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An independent inquiry is currently underway examining ten military training facilities across England, prompted by allegations of rape and sexual assault at the Army Foundation College, which trains recruits under the age of 18. In August, four young women spoke to the BBC, revealing that they had been subjected to sexual assault and harassment while attending this college, located in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. One survivor described being raped by multiple junior soldiers during a prolonged attack lasting several hours.
Polly Miller-Perkins, the Armed Forces Commissioner who is overseeing this investigation as her inaugural case, described the accusations as “absolutely appalling.” Her role gives her the authority to make unannounced visits to UK defence sites and demand information from government bodies. Among the sites she plans to inspect are the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where all British Army officers receive their training, and the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, famed for instructing Royal Navy officers. The Army Foundation College, specifically for the youngest recruits, will also be included in her visits.
Miller-Perkins explained that her aim is to uncover any systemic problems and produce recommendations designed to safeguard the welfare and safety of all service members. She intends to visit all ten institutions in November, engaging with personnel, their families, and staff, with the goal of presenting initial findings in the new year. Locations involved in the inquiry include RAF Halton, RAF Cranwell, HMS Raleigh, CTC Lympstone, ATC Pirbright, ATR Winchester, and ITC Catterick. She emphasized the importance of an evidence-led, independent approach, stating, “I’m interested in following the evidence, so we will go where the evidence leads us.”
Despite the investigation’s independence, some survivors remain skeptical. One woman who shared her experiences with the BBC expressed a lack of confidence that military personnel would fully acknowledge the truth, explaining, “It’s easier for me to talk to you [a reporter] than it is to talk to someone who is an army or RAF person because they already are on the side of them.” She also highlighted the difficulty in trusting investigators who come from within the military environment. Miller-Perkins recognized the challenge of building trust and said she expects to be judged by the outcomes delivered through her office. Having begun planning this review since the spring, she stated, “I would like to think if I put recommendations in front of the Secretary of State and the MoD, that they will take those very seriously because I certainly do.”
The BBC’s investigation also highlighted claims of inappropriate conduct from some instructors at the Army Foundation College, including the use of offensive language and judging young female recruits based on their appearance. In response, the Ministry of Defence expressed support for independent scrutiny and affirmed its commitment to ensuring that all new military personnel receive training and support in a safe, professional environment. Regarding the specific allegations at the college, the MoD stated, “Unacceptable and criminal behaviour has no place in the military, and it encourages anyone who has experienced such conduct to come forward.” The college itself has welcomed the examination and has recently received an outstanding report from Ofsted
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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