Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of his Department's capacity to support veteran survivors of military sexual trauma.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not recognise the term 'military sexual trauma', nor the associated term 'military sexual assault'. I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to UIN 15331 on 17 June 2022 to the Hon. Member for Barnsley East (Ms Peacock): https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2022-06-09/15331

For Serving Personnel, the MOD has made it absolutely clear there is no place for unacceptable behaviour in the Armed Forces. On 30 March 2022 the MOD published a Zero-Tolerance to Sexual Offending policy, which is one of a range of measures intended to tackle unacceptable sexual behaviour in the Armed Forces. It is intended to improve the career experiences of serving personnel, providing clearer, tri-Service, direction to those in a position to prevent and address instances of sexual offending. It also introduced mandatory discharge from the Armed Forces for anyone convicted of a sexual offence, this includes anyone subject to notification requirements as set out in Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act (SOA) 2003 (more widely recognised as the Sex Offenders Register): https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-publishes-its-zero-tolerance-approach-to-sexual-offences

For veterans, their healthcare, including mental healthcare, is the responsibility of the NHS in England and the Devolved Administrations.