Defence chief shocked and troubled at reports of sexual assaults within the military

A senior defence official says he's shocked and troubled after a series of anonymous reports from service personnel sharing multiple accounts of sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault.

Vice Admiral Phil Hally, who is head of Defence People, urged personnel who sent their accounts to the Fill Your Boots social media account to contact the Defence Serious Crime Command.

Posting from his social media account on X, he said there was no place for unacceptable sexual behaviour in the Armed Forces - and urged anyone, whether military or civilian, who had been a victim of serious crime in defence to contact a confidential crime line. 

A message from him to personnel was also published on the Fill Your Boots site, in which he said anyone who decided to report their allegations would have them treated seriously.

The Provost Marshal responsible for Serious Crime in the MOD also posted to the site, reminding personnel of how they can officially report allegations.

The reports have emerged as an inquest is underway into the death of Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, a teenage soldier who was found dead at a military camp in December 2021. 

The service inquiry report into her death which was published in October 2023 said that Gunner Beck was believed to have taken her own life after relentless sexual harassment by one of her bosses.

One of the anonymous messages published on social media said they were deeply affected by Gunner Beck's death and her inquest, and said they were bullied and harassed by a senior commissioned officer who, after they reported him, only got a slap on the wrist.