After a two year investigation, today the head of the Navy, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key, has apologised for the misogyny, bullying and other unacceptable behaviours that were found “amongst all ranks and rates” within the Submarine Service.
We act for a number of women in the Royal Navy, including within the Submarine Service. The attitudes for which Adm Sir Ben Key is apologising are, in our experience, widespread, pervasive and career-ending. We’ve had very particular challenges raising concerns through the Royal Navy’s internal “Service Complaints” process which is biased, sclerotic and brutalising for anyone that’s been sexually assaulted or subjected to sexual harassment. Our clients see little of the so-called ‘zero tolerance’ policy that is relied upon by Sir Ben Key to offer reassurance that things are different today. That is not the experience of our clients. At every stage the women we support have been disbelieved, victim-blamed and subjected to character assassination for having the audacity to complain about their treatment. And they’re not allowed to speak to the press, or to Parliament, about their experiences as long as they’re still serving, which most of our clients are, which essentially amounts to a gagging order.
We hope this apology may mark a turning point, but we are continuing to support women suffering these indignities today and the system remains very badly broken.
Lucy Baston