Safeguarding of young recruits at the Army Foundation College Harrogate
Tabled 28 October 2026 by Sarah Dyke
That this House is deeply concerned by allegations of rape, sexual assault and harassment made by former recruits at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, many of whom were girls aged 16 and 17 at the time; is further concerned that survivors have expressed a lack of confidence in the processes intended to protect them; welcomes the Armed Forces Commissioner’s independent investigation, but insists it must lead to lasting change rather than recommendations on paper; believes that no young person joining the Armed Forces should ever fear sexual violence or harassment, or feel unable to report abuse; and calls on the Government to legislate so that rape and other serious sexual offences involving service personnel are always investigated by civilian police and tried in civilian courts, to take complaints of sexual harassment out of the chain of command and place them with a fully independent body, and to introduce independent safeguarding oversight for every recruit under the age of 18, so that those who step forward to serve their country can be confident that their country will protect them.