Exclusive: Military Unit Tackling Sexual Violence to Expand After Shocking Survey
The Ministry of Defence is significantly expanding a specialist unit dedicated to tackling sexual violence and unacceptable behaviour within the UK's armed forces. This decisive move follows the publication of a harrowing survey that revealed the alarming scale of the problem affecting service personnel.
Substantial Funding Injection for Victim Support
The Ministry of Defence is committing £500,000 to bolster the Victim Witness Care Unit. This substantial investment will increase the unit's capacity to investigate approximately 100 additional cases each year. Operating independently outside the traditional military chain of command, this team provides crucial trauma support and care for victims of serious offences.
Disturbing Survey Findings Prompt Action
The expansion comes directly in response to an MOD survey published in November, which presented deeply concerning statistics about the experiences of women in the armed forces. The survey, which gathered nearly 13,000 responses, found that nearly one-third of women had experienced physical touching in a manner they did not like.
More specifically, the data revealed that 8% of women reported suffering sexual assault, while over 10% stated they had been physically followed in a way that made them feel sexually threatened. Additionally, 11% of respondents said they faced negative treatment after refusing to engage in sexual activity. Perhaps most strikingly, 67% of women reported experiencing sexualised behaviours within their armed forces workplace.
Minister's Personal Commitment to Cultural Change
Veterans Minister Louise Sandher-Jones, speaking exclusively to The Mirror, emphasised the personal nature of this mission. "Our Armed Forces personnel deserve to work in an environment where they are safe, supported and valued," she stated. "As a veteran myself, this mission is deeply personal to me, ensuring that victim-survivors of serious crime know we have their back."
The Minister outlined the comprehensive approach being taken: "We are standing up specialist teams to prevent unacceptable behaviour and sexual violence in the Armed Forces, alongside a significant uplift to victim support. The Victim Witness and Care Unit provides vital support for those who have experienced unacceptable sexual behaviour or violence – today’s investment injects over half a million pounds to strengthen their offer to victim-survivors, wherever they are in the world."
New Taskforce Teams Targeting Cultural Drivers
Alongside the unit expansion, specialist Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce teams are being deployed to key military locations including Catterick Garrison and HM Naval Base Devonport. These teams will consist of civilian specialists with experience in the VAWG sector, focusing on prevention, early intervention, and cultural change among new recruits.
"This is about getting the culture right from the very start," explained Sandher-Jones. "That means being honest about the beliefs and behaviours people arrive with, being clear about expectations around things like consent, language and professional conduct, and then designing interventions that actually make a difference - not just ticking a box."
The MOD has indicated that if the initial deployments prove successful, expansion to additional sites including RAF Halton and the UK's sovereign bases in Cyprus is planned.
Legislative Measures Complementing Operational Changes
These operational changes are being implemented alongside measures in the Armed Forces Bill designed to better support victims of serious and sexual offences. The legislative improvements include new protective orders and enhanced guidance to help victims decide whether they prefer their cases to be tried in civilian courts or through the military justice system.
Minister Sandher-Jones concluded with a firm commitment: "Any instance of unacceptable or criminal behaviour is one too many. While we may not yet be at zero incidents, I do believe we can say there is 100% action. We've taken decisive action to strengthen support for victims, ensure the most serious offences are handled outside of the chain of command, and we're continuing to push forward further progress through the Armed Forces Bill."
The comprehensive approach represents a significant step toward creating what the Minister described as "a place where people are proud to serve and know that the Government has their back."
