Women in UK armed forces face 'hostile environment' if they report bullying

[miri1985]

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/04/women-in-armed-forces-face-hostile-environment-if-they-report-bullying

Conservative MP Sarah Atherton, who had said evidence given to the committee suggested that “six out of 10 complaints” were not pursued “because of the chain of command”.

Similar issues were faced by former personnel, said Paula Edwards, a mental health therapist with Salute Her, which works with woman veterans. “As soon as they leave a service [the] complaint is almost forgotten about.”

Atherton chairs a special defence subcommittee that has begun gathering evidence from female veterans and current personnel, the latter able to respond after the defence secretary, Ben Wallace, lifted a gagging order last year.

Thanks for posting this it is relevant to a veteran I know.

This is related, from February;

Fears minister has jeopardised effort to stop military trying UK rape cases

“We were promised a review of all the guidance and policies on the handling of sexual violence cases in the armed forces, which the defence secretary accepts need serious attention,” one of the women said.

“But we are now really worried that the minister appears to be misrepresenting to parliament what his own independent expert has said and advised,” added the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

The three brought a legal challenge against the Ministry of Defence last year, arguing that military courts should no longer handle UK rape cases, because the conviction rate is five to six times lower than in normal civilian courts.''
www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/18/women-fear-minister-jeopardised-stop-military-trying-uk-rape-cases-johnny-mercer