Archive · 13 Nov 2025
UK Military Vows Reform After Survey Reveals High Rates of Sexual Harassment
Imagine a big club for people who protect the country, like soldiers.
A recent check-up, like a survey, asked everyone how things were.
The results showed that a lot of the women in this club had heard mean jokes or comments that were about being a woman in a not-nice way.
Some women even said they were touched when they didn't want to be, or that people made unwanted advances.
The leaders of this club said this is not okay at all.
They promise to teach new members better, especially about respecting others, what's okay and what's not okay, and how to be kind online.
They are going to send special helpers to teach people at the training places.
This is happening because some people have had really bad experiences, and the way complaints are handled wasn't working very well.
The leaders know they need to do more to make sure everyone in the club feels safe and respected.
A UK military-wide survey found 67% of female personnel experienced generalized sexualized behavior and 21% experienced targeted sexualized behaviors.
Veterans Minister Louise Sandher-Jones called the findings 'wholly unacceptable' and stressed the need for dignity and respect.
The Ministry of Defence will deploy specialist prevention teams to training bases and plans wider expansion by 2026.
The prevention program will educate recruits on consent, misogyny, and harmful online influences.
The announcement follows criticism of the military's complaints system and high-profile cases of bullying and abuse.
- Who
- British military personnel, particularly women, and the Ministry of Defence.
- What
- A survey revealed high rates of sexual harassment and sexualized behavior within the UK military, prompting vows of reform from the Ministry of Defence.
- When
- The survey results were released on Thursday.
- Where
- United Kingdom, with specific mention of training bases in northern and southwest England, and planned expansion to Cyprus.
- Why
- To address unacceptable levels of sexual harassment and ensure service members can serve with dignity and respect.
Affected Personnel
Ministry of Defence
Experience of Sexualized Behavior
Affected Personnel
Two-thirds of women in the British army reported experiencing sexualised behaviour in the past year, with 67% encountering generalized behaviour and 21% targeted behaviours.
Ministry of Defence
Acknowledges findings are 'wholly unacceptable' and states that all service members must be able to serve with dignity and respect.
Effectiveness of Current Systems
Affected Personnel
Criticism of the Armed Forces complaints system, with the Service Complaints Ombudsman stating it is not 'efficient, effective or fair'.
Ministry of Defence
Announces plans for specialist prevention teams at training bases and wider roll-out, focusing on education about consent, misogyny, and online influences.
- Percentage of women experiencing generalized sexualized behavior
- 67%
- Percentage of women experiencing targeted sexualized behavior
- 21%
- Total regular personnel in British military
- Approximately 137,000
- Number of women in British military
- Approximately 16,300
- Percentage of women in British military
- Just under 12%
- Location of initial prevention teams
- Northern and southwest England training bases
- Expansion plans for prevention teams
- Cyprus and a Royal Air Force base by 2026