Sandhurst military academy has 'epidemic' of sex assaults

2022-12-28

Sandhurst military academy has ‘toxic culture’ and ‘epidemic’ of sex assaults, charity claims

Chiefs and the Ministry of Defence were urged to confront predentary behaviour in Sandhurst
Over two decades, 177 women have sought help after suffering abuse at the site
From the 3,170 women on its database, over half were raped in the Armed Forces

Sandhurst is plagued by a ‘toxic culture’ of sexual assault as hundreds of women report abuse during service training, it was alleged last night.

Army chiefs and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) were urged by the charity Salute Her UK to confront predatory behaviour at the Royal Military Academy.

The charity, which represents female military personnel who have experienced sexual abuse, claims there is an ‘epidemic’ of rape culture in the military.

Over two decades, 177 women have sought help after suffering abuse at officer training site Sandhurst, it said. The charity’s boss Paula Edwards said that of 3,170 women on its database, over half were raped while in the Armed Forces.

Army chiefs and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) were urged by the charity Salute Her UK to confront predatory behaviour at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst

Officers have already promised to improve the culture at Sandhurst after the suicide of cadet Olivia Perks, which exposed a culture of incidents between instructors and recruits.

The Daily Mail has previously revealed similar allegations of abuse in the Royal Navy. An MoD spokesman told The Daily Telegraph that ‘anyone found guilty will face the full weight of the law and immediate dismissal’.

The spokesman said: ‘Any allegation of sexual assault reported will be investigated and anyone found guilty will face the full weight of the law and immediate dismissal.

‘The Defence Secretary is bidding for new legislation that would make it a formal offence in military law.

‘Those found guilty of sexual relationships with new recruits will potentially result in court marshal and a custodial sentence.’

Sandhurst is the training centre for prospective Army officers, with cadets typically training there for 44 weeks.

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