Will the new taskforces be able to stop sexual abuse and harassment in the Armed Forces?

At Jordans Solicitors we have previously highlighted on a number of occasions reports of sexual abuse and harassment of both men and women in this country’s Armed Forces and are currently acting in such claims against the Ministry of Defence. 

The media widely reported the tragic death of Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck who was found dead in her barracks at Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire in late 2021. A service inquiry report into her death accepted that she had been exposed to sexual harassment by a more senior rank and that “it was almost certain this was a causal factor in her death”. She was also subjected to significant harassment by her line manager.   

In February 2025, a coroner ruled that she died by suicide and criticised the Army in relation to their handling of her complaint. 

One of her colleagues in the artillery regiment has recently spoken to The Telegraph newspaper and has confirmed that sexual assault is a “massive” problem. She told them that she had herself been sexually harassed on her first day at Larkhill by a senior soldier at the camp.

She reported it to the appropriate person but he was a friend of the alleged abuser and no action was taken.  She also said that another senior soldier kept inviting her inappropriately to his office and room. 

She described how she wanted to remain in the Army because she came from a military background but she became very low and suicidal herself until she was able to move away.   

She says another female soldier was raped at the camp and that the alleged abuser was moved away to another job. The female soldier never returned to camp.  

These reports are consistent with our own experience where formal complaints are ignored or buried by senior officers and threats are made to attempt to discourage the complainant. Complainants are also told to exclude information from their service complaints 

It has recently been announced that investigations into claims of sexual abuse and harassment in the army 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 Violence against Women and Girls Taskforce will also be set up to change the culture in the Army. 

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.

Jordans solicitors are acting on behalf of adults whom it is alleged were sexually abused 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 child abuse solicitors work closely alongside psychologists and barristers to support you both emotionally and legally.

Justice for 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.