Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2023 to Question 70 on Defence: Recruitment, how many people have been disciplined for (a) a relationship between instructors and trainees, (b) sexual offences and (c) unacceptable sexual behaviour since the introduction of the new Armed Forces policies in 2022.

Defence has made it clear there is zero tolerance to any form of unacceptable sexual behaviour, and this includes sexual offences. Under the Ministry of Defence’s Zero Tolerance Part One (Sexual Offences and Instructor/Trainee Relationships) policy, for all Service People who are convicted of a sexual offence, or who are placed on the Sex Offenders Register there is a mandatory presumption of discharge from the Armed Forces. Similarly, for Zero Tolerance Part Two (Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour – A Victim/Survivor Focused Approach), there is a presumption of discharge for those found in breach of this policy.

The Defence Serious Crime Unit, formed in December 2022, has the jurisdiction to investigate the most serious and complex crimes alleged to have been committed by persons subject to service law in both the UK and overseas, including sexual offences, domestic abuse and offences of violence.

Up to 30 September 2023;

a) two instructors have been found to have engaged in sexual relationships with trainees. Both have been discharged.

b) two Service personnel have been administratively discharged under the ‘zero tolerance to sexual offending’ policy following their conviction for a sexual offence. This is in addition to 14 who have been dismissed by the Court Martial following conviction for sexual offences.

c) 14 Service personnel have been discharged for unacceptable sexual behaviour under the ‘zero tolerance to unacceptable sexual behaviour’ policy.