bullying and assault

Army abuse case failings: it’s time for change in the military justice system

Three cases involving over 40 claimants and 16 Army instructors have collapsed, raising a number of serious concerns about failings within the military justice system. As a result, serious allegations of abuse against very young recruits have not been tested. We call for changes to the system and question whether a military environment where aggression is fostered will ever be condusive to the wellbeing of young recruits.

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Stripping the Civilian – how army training isolates, disorientates and dominates recruits

New findings highlight need to protect young people from harsh military training environments and inadequate safeguards in cadet forces.

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Hidden in full sight: sex abuse covered up by cadet forces

BBC Panorama has uncovered evidence of repeated cover-ups of historical sex abuse in Britain's cadet forces.

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Army life: the other side of the story

Telling adolescents that they can resolve their need to belong by joining the Army is simplistic and one-sided. The reality is many aspects of army life are potentially harmful, especially to vulnerable individuals. The other side of the story needs to be told. This is a longer version of an article first published by The Huffington Post

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Rape and sexual assaults in the military need more than ‘kangaroo court’ justice

Informal and unaccountable 'in-house' procedures mean hundreds of allegations go unquestioned

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Bullying in armed forces on rise, MoD figures reveal

Call for urgent overhaul of military justice as MP highlights plight of servicewomen alleging sexual offences

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Tortured: Young Army recruit tells how he went AWOL after becoming a victim of brutal bullying

“It all lasted about 10 minutes. If it was to happen in civvy street, all those lads in that picture would be arrested. But it’s a normal day in the Army.”

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Bullying ‘seen as acceptable in Army’ as survey reveals every woman questioned was victim of unwanted attention

Bullying is perceived as “acceptable” among some in the Army, according to an internal report that found every single woman questioned said they had been the victim of unwanted sexual attention.

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Three Army instructors sacked over claims teenage cadets were whipped and tied up in campaign of abuse at camp

Police, Army and council officials are investigating claims that recruits were whipped and tied up as part of a catalogue of abuse.

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Sexual assault and bullying in the armed forces

A parliamentary question reveals that during 2011 there were 228 allegations of bullying or harassment reported to the Service Complaints Commissioner. Another parliamentary question has identified that 'Over the past two and a half years, there have been 53 reported rapes and 86 reported sexual assaults in the Army, the Navy and the Air Force (one per week). Labour MP Madeleine Moon said she was concerned there was a 'culture of silence', with hundreds of victims never reporting attacks.

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