Investigation

A war on two fronts: How the British military fails women who report rapes

Exclusive: Pervasive misogyny means 77% of troops accused of rape are found not guilty in military courts

By Sian Norris

A war on two fronts: How the British military fails women who report rapes — Women speak out against sexual abuse in the military. | James Battershill

Published: June 13, 2024, 9:15 am

In her first two years in the Royal Navy, Jane was raped twice.

Jane, whose name we have changed to to protect her identity, joined the armed forces in the mid-Noughties, when she was in her late twenties. She was eager to build a career after spending the previous decade travelling and working in tourism and the Navy felt like the right fit. She loved the sea, loved seeing new places and wanted to learn new skills. These two assaults, she said, shook her faith in a profession that had long called out to her.

“I didn’t say anything,” Jane told openDemocracy, explaining that she didn’t report either attack because she felt she couldn’t speak to anyone about them. “Not until years later, when I spoke to a colleague who was on the ship with me where the second rape took place. He noticed that I’d changed during that time and wondered if something had happened to me.”

If you or someone you know is affected by the issues raised in this article, the following organisations can help:

Rape Crisis England & Wales

Confidential support and information to women who have survived any form of sexual violence, no matter how long ago. Also provides immediate support to friends and family on how to support female survivors of sexual violence.

Phone: 0808 802 9999 (12–2:30pm & 7–9:30pm daily). Website: Rape Crisis

Rape Crisis Scotland

Confidential support for anyone affected by sexual violence, no matter when or how it happened. They can also put you in touch with local rape crisis centres.

Phone: 0808 801 03 02. Website: Rape Crisis Scotland

Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline – Northern Ireland

Free support, advice and referral for any victim or domestic and sexual abuse in Northern Ireland.

Phone: 0808 802 1414 (24/7). Website: Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline

NHS Sexual Assault Referral Centres

England & Wales: Visit the NHS website

Scotland: Visit the NHS inform website

The Survivors Trust

Support and signposting for women, men and children who are survivors of rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse.

Phone: 0808 801 0818. Website: The Survivors Trust

Survivors UK

Support for men and non-binary survivors of sexual abuse via an online helpline, counselling, Independent Sexual Violence Advisers, plus group and peer support services.

Website: Survivors UK

Samaritans

For anyone struggling to cope and provide a safe place to talk 24 hours a day.

Phone: 116 123. Email: jo@samaritans.org. Website: Samaritans

Victim Support

Emotional and practical help to victims or witnesses of any crime, whether or not it has been reported to the police.

Phone: 0808 16 89 111 (24/7). Website: Victim Support

Victim Support Scotland

Emotional and practical support to all victims and witnesses of crime across Scotland.

Phone: 0800 160 1985 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm). Website: Victim Support Scotland

Victim Support NI

Emotional and practical support to all victims and witnesses of crime across Northern Ireland.

Phone: 028 9024 3133. Website: Victim Support NI

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