For many, the beginning of a New Year is the time for resolutions, for rethinking the ‘To Do’ list, and for committing to tackle those tasks that seem to have been forever consigned to the back burner. Officials returning to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) after their Christmas break are no exception. But what should Defence’s highest priority be for 2023?
The list of potential candidates is long: securing sufficient funding to protect the Defence budget from inflation; providing a strong Defence input to the refresh of the Integrated Review; continuing to provide military support for Ukraine; or even getting to grips with the Equipment Plan. All these issues are extremely pressing and could be considered worthy contenders. In the opinion of onUKDefence, however, Defence’s highest priority in 2023 sits head and shoulders above them all. It’s the need to tackle, once and for all, the issue of sexual discrimination and misogyny in the armed forces.
Unacceptable behaviour is not a new problem
In support of its 2020 inquiry into Women in the Armed Forces, the House of Commons Defence Committee (HCDC) commissioned a survey that was completed by over 4,000 women (1,637 serving personnel and 2,469 veterans) from across all services and ranks. Over 85 per cent agreed that female service personnel face additional challenges in the armed forces, and the overwhelming reason given was gender. Bullying, harassment and discrimination were experienced by 62 per cent, including sexual assault and other criminal sexual offences. The subsequent HCDC report also found that the systems for responding to unacceptable behaviour were failing service personnel, both male and female. Nearly 40 per cent of servicewomen confirmed their experience of the complaints system to be ‘extremely poor’, and a lack of faith in the system contributed to 89 per cent of both male and female personnel not making a formal complaint about bullying, harassment or discrimination.
Unacceptable behaviour is a well known problem
As well as not being new, this problem is also well known within the military. In 2019, Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston led a review of inappropriate behaviour in the armed forces. Its two key findings were: ‘we must do more to stop instances of inappropriate behaviour occurring’ and ‘we have to do better when instances of inappropriate behaviour have occurred or are alleged to have occurred’. In total, Wigston made 36 recommendations on how to investigate and deal with inappropriate behaviour within the armed forces, all of which were accepted by the Secretary of State for Defence.
Unacceptable behaviour is an enduring problem
Notwithstanding this, significant allegations of sexual discrimination and misogyny, involving all three services, continue to be made. Just last year, abuse claims were made by women serving on Royal Navy submarines, including a horrific suggestion that lists existed ranking females in the order they should be raped in a catastrophic event. A charity for female military personnel claimed there was an ‘epidemic’ of rape culture across the military, citing predatory behaviour at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. And the RAF Aerobatics Team, the Red Arrows, was accused of having a toxic culture, following accusations of bullying, drunkenness and sexual harassment.
Action to date has been unacceptably poor
The response to these allegations by the armed forces has been poor. While all three services peddle the standard line that they have zero tolerance of unacceptable behaviour, there is little overt evidence to suggest that action is being taken to root out sexual discrimination and misogyny. In a recent radio interview, First Sea Lord Admiral Ben Key continued to argue against an independent investigation process, suggesting it would take longer and investigators had to understand the particulars of life at sea. To be clear, ‘life at sea’ is not an extenuating circumstance: abuse is abuse.
Contrast the response from military leaders to that of London Fire Brigade (LFB) Commissioner Andy Roe following the publication of a report in November 2022 that branded his organisation institutionally misogynist and racist. On the day the report was published, Roe appeared on national television to apologise and take full responsibility. He accepted the report’s 23 recommendations in full and promised immediate action. Within a month, a fully independent investigation service had been created and was resolving complaints. While no one is suggesting the LFB’s problems are now behind it, Roe’s strong leadership and positive action have fostered a belief that issues are now recognised, owned, and being addressed.
Why sexual discrimination and misogyny should be Defence’s highest priority
There are at least three reasons why tackling sexual discrimination and misogyny should be Defence’s highest priority in 2023. Most military scholars recognise the importance of the Clausewitzian trinity of the people, the military and the government. But how much longer will the British public be willing to support armed forces that are not addressing bullying, harassment and discrimination within their ranks? Public opinion matters, especially if the MoD is to secure a favourable near-term budget settlement alongside competing funding concerns from other government departments, like health and education. Similarly, how many young men and women will want to join organisations that talk tough but take little effective action about behaviour that they, and most of their generation, consider abhorrent. Finally, and most importantly, sexual discrimination and misogyny are simply unacceptable and have no place in today’s society. Military leaders have a moral obligation to do everything they can to rid their service of unacceptable behaviour, in all forms.
Conclusion
The armed forces will face many challenges in the year ahead, but none is as important as tackling sexual discrimination and misogyny. This is, without doubt, Defence’s highest priority in 2023. While unacceptable behaviour remains prevalent, all Defence’s other problems will be harder to solve. What’s more, in a society that is becoming increasingly concerned about the morality of the institutions that serve it, those that fail to tackle these issues will see their public support slowly but inevitably drain away. If that day ever comes, Defence really will be in trouble.
