Reports of sexual abuse at the Army Foundation College

At Jordans Solicitors we have for several years reported and commented on a regular basis on sexual abuse of both men and women in the Armed Forces.

The BBC have today reported on the sexual abuse of a significant number of young women at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The college provides 16- and 17-year-olds with education, basic military training and support to pursue a career in the Army.    

It is said that 176 complaints of inappropriate sexual behaviour and harassment at the college were made between January 2018 and June 2025.  32 of the allegations were made against employees at the college and 144 were made against junior soldiers who were training there. 

They also reported there had been 16 reports of sexual offences related to the college this year.   

These reports of abuse at the college unfortunately follow a familiar pattern of a toxic culture of grooming and sexual harassment by more senior ranks, sexual assaults, misogyny, and institutional failures in our Armed Forces.

The reported abuse at the college also follows the scandal in late 2025 that hundreds of women were sexually abused in Army medical examinations between the 1970’s and 2016 in institutional settings where recruits felt they were unable to object to the abuse because the abusers had absolute power over them.

The UK Armed Forces have introduced a Zero-Tolerance Policy against unacceptable sexual behaviour, a sexual harassment prevention programmes, a sexual harassment survey and structural changes to deal with the most serious complaints of harassment and bullying.   

However, the significant number of the complaints at the college this year alone confirm that these reforms have not eradicated the problems or changed the culture in our Armed Forces. Clearly a lot more needs to be done to allow women in the Armed Forces to enjoy their career without sexual abuse or harassment. 

There can be no more institutional inaction or failures on the part of the Armed Forces. The young women who have bravely come forward to make these allegations deserve genuine accountability and for action to be taken against the perpetrators of the abuse. The Ministry of Defence should also fully co-operate and provide meaningful support for the survivors of the abuse and not just words.     

Jordans solicitors are acting on behalf of young adults and adults whom it is alleged were sexually abused in our Armed Forces.  

Compensation is a small step towards taking control of your life and getting the justice you deserve.

We understand how difficult it can be for you to talk about the abuse you have suffered. That’s why our specially trained abuse solicitors work closely alongside psychologists and barristers to support you both emotionally and legally.

Justice for sexual abuse survivors should be accessible no matter how long ago it happened. That’s why we fought for a landmark change in the law, which allows an abuse claim to be brought before a court regardless of when it took place.

If you want to discuss the options that are open to you, please contact our specialist Abuse Team at Jordans Solicitors.