A whistleblower has exposed a deeply troubling culture within the Royal Military Police (RMP), the unit responsible for investigating crimes in the British Army, alleging that sexual predators within its ranks are routinely shielded from accountability.
The former RMP sergeant, referred to as “Amy” to protect her identity, recounted her own experiences of sexual harassment and assault by a staff sergeant. Despite over a dozen women coming forward with similar allegations against the same individual, he was permitted to resign without facing charges, thereby retaining his pension and avoiding a criminal record.
Amy described a pervasive “toxic” environment within the RMP, where male colleagues accused of sexual offences were not held accountable. She questioned the integrity of an institution tasked with policing the army, stating, “If all of this sexual assault and bullying and rapes are going on within the military police, how can they then go out and investigate the wider army for doing the same things?”
These revelations align with broader concerns about systemic issues in the military’s handling of sexual misconduct. A parliamentary committee has highlighted ongoing sexual abuse within the armed services, emphasizing that servicewomen often feel compelled to “put up and shut up” due to a culture that protects perpetrators and discourages victims from coming forward.
In response to mounting criticism, the Ministry of Defence announced plans to remove investigations of sexual harassment from the traditional chain of command, establishing a specialized task force to handle such complaints independently. This move aims to provide greater confidence in the complaints process and address unacceptable behaviours within the military.
However, advocates like Emma Norton from the Centre for Military Justice express scepticism about the effectiveness of these reforms, questioning the true independence of the new task force and calling for more substantial changes to ensure accountability and justice for victims.
The whistleblower’s account underscores the urgent need for systemic reform within the military justice system to protect service members and uphold the integrity of the armed forces.
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