Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will respond to the recommendations listed in the 2021 Forward Assist Privileged Access Interview Report entitled, El Hombre Invisible: Male Veterans Share their Lived Experience of Military Sexual Trauma in the British Armed Forces.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has not reviewed this report, nor has it been approached to formally respond. Defence does not routinely review or respond to third party reports which have not been commissioned by the Department.

The MOD does not recognise the term 'Military Sexual Trauma', although we recognise it is used elsewhere as a means of referring to cases of sexual assault or sexual harassment which occur whilst in service. Defence has been clear that there is no place for this behaviour in the Armed Forces. All allegations will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate support provided to victims, be they serving or veteran. We recognise the great courage it takes to come forward and report a sexual offence. Personnel who come forward can have full confidence that all allegations are thoroughly investigated; Commanding Officers must always refer any allegation of rape and sexual assault, or any other offence which may have a sexual element, to the Service Police. Anyone found to fall short of the Services' high standards or to have committed an offence is dealt with appropriately, up to and including imprisonment and dismissal from service.