The ongoing scandal of sexual abuse and harassment in the Armed Forces

We have previously published a number of articles highlighting the significant number of reports of sexual abuse and harassment of both men and women in our Armed Forces. The issue has been back in the media again this week in relation to the tragic case of Gunner Jaysley Beck who was found dead in her barracks at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire in late 2021.

She had been sexually assaulted by Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber and he has now pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault at a hearing at the Court Martial Centre in Bulford, Wiltshire on 5 September 2025. He has left the Army and will be sentenced at a later date.  

Gunner Beck made a service complaint against her abuser. Her first complaint was dismissed. She again reported it higher up the chain of command but Webber was only given a minor administrative action interview in relation to the incident with no further action taken. The sexual assault was not reported to the police in breach of army policy. Webber was in fact promoted within 12 months of the incident.  

She was then also harassed by other male officers.

Gunner Beck’s mother has been reported as saying “The justice system shouldn’t work like this – whether civilian or military. It shouldn’t depend upon a grieving family pressing at every stage for investigations that should have been conducted right at the start when Jaysley first reported what had happened to her……..Those failures cost her her life. Until the culture changes, service personnel will continue to be failed.”

Regrettably, the experience of Gunner Beck and her family are consistent with our own experience where formal complaints of sexual abuse and harassment are ignored or buried by senior officers. Threats are often made to attempt to discourage the complainant. Complainants are also told to exclude information from their service complaints 

It was announced in March 2025 that investigations into claims of sexual abuse, harassment and misconduct in the Armed Forces are to be removed from the chain of command with a new external specialist taskforce to take over the investigation of bullying, harassment and discrimination related service complaints. 

A new Violence against Women and Girls Taskforce will also be set up to change the culture in the Army. The Defence Minister confirmed in May 2025 that the taskforce will operate independently to improve confidence in the complaints process. There remain concerns however about whether these new taskforces will be truly independent or whether they will continue to adopt the same culture which is imbedded in our Armed Forces.

How can Jordans Solicitors help?

Jordans Solicitors are acting on behalf of adults whom it is alleged were sexually abused or harassed in a number of different types of institutions including the 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 suffered. That’s why our specially trained abuse solicitors work closely alongside psychologists and barristers to support you both emotionally and legally. If you want to discuss the options that are open to you, please contact our specialist Abuse Team at Jordans Solicitors on 0800 9555 094 or request a call back.