Military training sites to be investigated following allegations of rape and sexual assault

The investigation will be the first carried out by Armed Forces Commissioner Suzanne ‘Polly’ Miller-Perkins CBE since taking up the newly created role earlier this year.

It follows reports from four young women who told the BBC that they had experienced sexual assault and harassment while attending the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, where the Army trains its youngest recruits. One woman alleged that she had been raped by several fellow junior soldiers.

The allegations have raised serious questions about the safety of young people entering military training and the culture within establishments responsible for preparing recruits for life in the Armed Forces.

The Commissioner is expected to visit 10 military training establishments as part of the investigation, speaking to recruits, staff and families.

The establishments include the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, RAF Halton, RAF Cranwell, HMS Raleigh, Commando Training Centre Royal Marines Lympstone, Army Training Centre Pirbright, Army Training Regiment Winchester and Infantry Training Centre Catterick.

The review is expected to consider whether there are wider or systemic issues affecting the welfare and safety of personnel within the military training environment.

Miller-Perkins has described the allegations reported by the BBC as “absolutely appalling” and said the investigation will follow the evidence in seeking to understand whether wider problems exist.

Early findings are expected in the New Year, with recommendations from the Commissioner to be made public.

The investigation represents an important early test of the new Armed Forces Commissioner and the additional independent scrutiny the role is intended to bring to Service life.

Established under the Armed Forces Commissioner Act 2025, the Commissioner has a broad remit to promote the welfare of serving personnel and their families and investigate issues affecting Service life.

The new office also took over the functions previously carried out by the Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces, while introducing wider powers to investigate general Service welfare concerns.

These include powers relating to access to Ministry of Defence sites and information, as well as the ability to undertake investigations into systemic issues and report findings and recommendations to Parliament.

The Commissioner has said that independence will be crucial to the investigation and has acknowledged that trust will need to be earned among serving personnel.

“Women who choose to serve their country deserve to be safe”

Steven Horsley, Partner and Military Lead at Fletchers Solicitors, said the allegations demonstrate why robust, genuinely independent scrutiny is so important.

“These allegations are deeply disturbing, but sadly the experiences being described will feel all too familiar to some women who have served in the Armed Forces.

“Anyone who chooses to serve their country should be able to do so in an environment where they are safe, respected and protected. No one entering military training should have to fear sexual harassment, assault or abuse from the very people alongside whom they are expected to serve.

“For those who have experienced this kind of treatment, the priority must be ensuring they are listened to, believed and able to access the right support. Coming forward can be incredibly difficult, particularly within an institution where hierarchy, loyalty and concerns about the impact on a military career can create additional barriers.

“This investigation is also a significant first test for the Armed Forces Commissioner. The creation of the role was intended to give serving personnel and their families a stronger independent voice, and cases as serious as these will demonstrate what that means in practice.

“I will be watching closely to see how the investigation develops and, importantly, what happens as a result of its findings. It must be thorough and genuinely independent, but it must not become unnecessarily drawn out. The women affected deserve answers, accountability and action.

“The real measure of the Commissioner’s role will ultimately be whether people serving in our Armed Forces feel safer and more confident that when something goes wrong, their voice will be heard and meaningful change will follow.”

The Ministry of Defence has said it welcomes independent scrutiny and is committed to ensuring people beginning their military careers receive appropriate training, welfare and support in a safe and professional environment.

The investigation comes at an important point for the new Commissioner’s office. The Armed Forces Commissioner was created to provide serving personnel and their families with an independent voice and a direct route through which they can raise concerns about issues affecting Service life.

For those who have experienced sexual assault, harassment or other forms of abuse while serving, however, investigations and institutional change are only part of the picture. Individuals may also need access to specialist legal advice and wider support to understand the options available to them.

At Fletchers Solicitors, our specialist Military Claims team supports serving personnel, veterans and their families when they have been injured or let down during military service.

We understand that speaking about experiences of abuse or mistreatment within the Armed Forces can be extremely difficult. Our team can listen in confidence to what has happened, explain the options available and help people understand what support and legal routes may be open to them.