Former Navy Recruit Details Sexual Abuse as Military Survey Reveals Widespread Harassment
A former Royal Navy recruit has spoken out about the sexual abuse she and many others suffered during their service, stating she would not want her own daughter to join the armed forces. Ruth Sparkes, whose husband Simon also served in the Royal Navy, shared her experiences with the Daily Mail following a damning report that exposed the extent of harassment within the military.
Personal Account of Abuse and Systemic Failures
Mrs Sparkes, who joined the Navy as a 17-year-old in Gosport, Hampshire, training to be an air engineer mechanic, endured derogatory comments and what she described as 'opportunistic groping'. She revealed that women in the services would routinely warn each other to avoid certain military personnel, a practice she initially considered normal. 'I wasn't really prepared for such male attention,' she recalled. 'I was overwhelmed and wasn't prepared for how to deal with it.'
Her testimony comes after the official Armed Forces Sexualised Behaviours and Sexual Harassment Survey uncovered widespread misconduct across the British military. The report indicated high levels of sexualised jokes, unwanted touching, and behaviour that left many personnel feeling unsafe.
Shocking Statistics and Ministerial Response
The study revealed that 67 per cent of women in service experienced at least one form of sexualised behaviour in the past year, while 34 per cent of men reported similar experiences. Alarmingly, one in three women reported unwanted touching or groping, and almost one in ten women reported non-consensual sexual activity, with incidents described as more common among junior ranks.
Veterans Minister Louise Sandher-Jones described the findings as 'wholly unacceptable', while Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton acknowledged the need for cultural reform. The Ministry of Defence responded by emphasising zero-tolerance policies, but Mrs Sparkes expressed scepticism. 'Nothing seems to be changing – and I believe it's worse than it was,' she stated.
The Tragic Case of Jaysley Beck
The issue gained further prominence following the case of Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, 19, who was found dead in her room at Larkhill Camp, near Salisbury in Wiltshire, on December 15, 2021. Her death occurred after she complained about Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber, who pinned her down and tried to kiss her. Webber was jailed for six months for sexual assault in October 2025.
In a recent development, two senior officers, Major James Hook and Colonel Samantha Shepherd, are facing a court martial over their handling of the matter, charged with offences relating to 'conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline'. Plea and trial preparation hearings are scheduled for March 11 at the Catterick Military Court Centre.
Jaysley's mother, Leighann McCready, stated that the Army was 'clearly not a safe space for young women' and highlighted ongoing concerns about systemic failures. 'We feel constantly as though we have to push the Army to change and it is completely exhausting,' she said.
Modern Challenges and Technological Harassment
Mrs Sparkes highlighted how modern technology, including mobile phones and social media, has introduced new avenues for predators to harass victims, particularly young recruits who may be unaware of their rights. 'People who have a propensity to harass young girls, young women, now have a lot more tools to do so than before,' she explained. However, she noted that digital evidence can also aid in tracing abusers.
In response to these issues, Mrs Sparkes founded the safeguarding app SaferSpace.io, which allows anonymous reporting of abuse. She developed the app after reading an Ofsted report that raised concerns about lack of safeguarding in educational settings. 'If people could report from a mobile phone and could do that anonymously, that would help,' she said.
Further Cases and Judicial Actions
Additional cases underscore the pervasive nature of the problem. Lance Sergeant Antony Pugh, 36, and Sergeant Connor Forgan, 32, were recently jailed and dismissed from the Army for having sex with a 17-year-old recruit, whom they described in derogatory terms. A military judge condemned their behaviour, noting it could have a 'chilling effect' on female recruitment.
An Army spokesman acknowledged the courage of victims in coming forward, while Veterans Minister Sandher-Jones reiterated the commitment to rooting out criminal behaviour through legislative reforms like the Armed Forces Bill.
Mrs Sparkes concluded with a poignant reflection on the need for tangible change. 'I know what will matter most to the next 17-year-old who walks through the main gate,' she said. 'She will be watching what happens when someone reports. Too often, nothing happens. And silence is the enemy.'
