Healey pledges better protection for victims of abuse as Armed Forces Bill agreed in principle
Defence Secretary John Healey has told the House of Commons that "all those who serve our country rightly expect to be able to do so with the fullest respect", as the Government's Armed Forces Bill passed its second reading in the chamber.
The legislation will provide stronger protections for military personnel and civilians who experience sexual assault, domestic abuse or stalking at the hands of serving members of the Armed Forces.
It also includes new protective orders to enable quicker action against perpetrators, reducing the risk of further harm to victims of inappropriate sexualised behaviour, domestic abuse, stalking and harassment.
Demonstrating the importance of the legislation, Mr Healey referenced the publication of the UK's first military-wide survey into sexual harassment last year, which found that two-thirds of servicewomen and one third of servicemen experience some form of sexualised behaviour.
He told the House of Commons: "Let me be clear: such behaviour has no place in our Armed Forces, just as it has no place in any workplace – not now, not ever.
Stronger guidance and more support
"Provisions in the Bill will make available in the service justice system a comprehensive range of protection orders, including for sexual harm, domestic abuse and stalking," Mr Healey told the Commons.
"It will strengthen supervision of offenders on release from prison, and ensure that service restraining orders are enforceable in the criminal justice system once a defendant has left the Armed Forces.
"It will place a duty on the Secretary of State to issue a code of practice, setting out the services that victims can expect to receive in the service justice system, and it will allow victims to choose whether they wish to have their case heard in a civil or military court, although the formal decision will be taken by the prosecutor."
These new measures are part of Defence's efforts to ensure that the Service Justice System champions a victim-centred approach.
Prevention teams in North Yorkshire and Plymouth
The Government introduced a prevention programme in November 2025 to combat unacceptable sexual behaviour and harassment in the Armed Forces.
These prevention teams will now operate from military sites in North Yorkshire and Plymouth, delivering training interventions to tackle the cultural and behavioural root causes of unacceptable sexual behaviour.
"Having served in the Army, I recognise the challenges victims can face when coming forward to report offences," said Veterans & People Minister Louise Sandher-Jones.
"We will ensure there is nowhere to hide for those who commit sexual violence. This Bill will strengthen protections for victims of serious and sexual crime, ensuring they receive the support they need and have a choice in how their case is handled.
"Unacceptable and criminal behaviour has no place in our Armed Forces. Defence will play our part in delivering this Government's commitment to halve violence against women and girls, while recognising that abuse can affect anyone."
The Armed Forces Bill also has measures including the creation of a new Defence Housing Service and extending the Armed Forces Covenant across all areas of government, as well as new powers to deter, detect and defeat drone incursions over military sites.
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