Overview
- The Ministry of Defence published the first tri-Service survey showing 67% of women experienced sexualised behaviour in the past year compared with 34% of men.
- Specific harms cited by women included unwanted touching (32%), non-consensual sexual activity (8%), unsolicited sexual messages (21%), and staring or leering (about 42%).
- Junior personnel were hit hardest, with 71% of women below officer rank reporting sexualised behaviour versus 58% of female officers.
- Few affected personnel reported incidents, with roughly 12% filing formal complaints, 20% using informal routes, and about 10% going to the police.
- The MoD is deploying VAWG prevention teams at Catterick and HMNB Devonport with expansion to Cyprus and RAF Halton in 2026, alongside systemic reforms including a tri-Service complaints system outside the chain of command, a complaints app, an Armed Forces Commissioner, and enhanced victim support.