Armed Forces: Sexual Offences

Ministry of Defence written question – answered on 19 September 2023.

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Photo of Dave Doogan Dave Doogan Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Energy Security and Net Zero)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the victims of sexual offences aged under 18 recorded in the Sexual Offences in the Service Justice System statistics published on 30 March 2023, how many perpetrators in those cases were based at the (a) Army Foundation College Harrogate, (b) Infantry Training Centre Catterick and (c) Army Training Centre Pirbright.

Photo of Andrew Murrison Andrew Murrison The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence

In the interests of protecting the anonymity of both alleged perpetrators and the victims of sexual offences, and to ensure that victims of sexual offences are not deterred from coming forward, I will not be providing the requested information. This is consistent with my answer to Question 182068.

The published figures for victims of sexual offences under the age of 18 are based on investigations opened, and the most serious offence initially reported, not convictions. Not all investigations result in an arrest or a charge and anyone accused is innocent until proved guilty.

Information on the number of defendants found guilty of sexual offences is provided within the published data. It is categorised by the year of the Court Martial, not the year in which the investigation started.

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