Press Conference, Hearing, Interview
Rape in the British military: women speak out
- Military culture is expected to create conditions increasing the likelihood of sexual harassment and assault in the present and future, with behaviors described as systemic and historic rather than isolated past events.
- A prevailing culture of impunity is predicted to result in few reports, meaning that unless a victim dies, systemic failures and the psychological spiral affecting survivors are unlikely to be revealed or addressed.
- Survivors are expected to tolerate unacceptable behavioral standards to fit in, with predictions that psychological trauma will continue to affect individuals today and potentially impact anyone within the forces.
- While the Ministry of Defence expects historic incidents to have been investigated and asserts that serving today is a significantly different experience, critics contend that no fundamental change has occurred despite new codes of practice.
- Reforms proposed to stamp out unacceptable behaviors are predicted not to affect operational effectiveness or explode the chain of command, yet these measures are viewed by some as insufficient to prevent lives from being ruined.
- The outlook includes a prediction that fundamental change regarding hearts and minds will not happen until issues are exposed loudly, with uncertainty remaining about what will actually change by 2021 given the persistence of current conversations.
- Graham House is expected to campaign for an independent defense authority to oversee complaints, contrasting with the assertion that no existing system is currently set up to challenge the underlying culture of the armed forces.