Ex-Servicewomen Reject 'Veteran' Identity Amidst Sexual Assault and Trauma
In an exclusive revelation, three former servicewomen have shared harrowing accounts of the challenges faced by women in the British Army, highlighting a systemic lack of support following sexual assaults and medical discharges. A new initiative by the veterans' charity Help for Heroes, dubbed the 'Help for Her' campaign, aims to bridge this gap by providing tailored assistance to women transitioning to civilian life.
Alarming Statistics and Systemic Issues
Analysis of data from the Office for National Statistics and government reports by Help for Heroes has uncovered disturbing trends. An alarming 67% of military women, who currently make up 9% of the Armed Forces with a target to increase to 30% by 2030, reported experiencing at least one instance of sexualised behaviour in the past year. This figure starkly contrasts with 34% of men, according to a recent government survey. Additionally, women face higher rates of medical discharge, with 60% stating they felt unprepared to leave due to a lack of job prospects.
Julie-Anne Fulford, a Very Seriously Injured complex case manager at Help for Heroes, emphasised the campaign's importance. "The Help for Her campaign is aimed at every woman who wore the uniform," she said. "We understand that their military experiences are all different and unique. Giving a voice to women who've served, and their loved ones, is crucial because for too long, women's service and its impact have been minimised, overlooked, or treated as an afterthought. Too many women I meet still feel they must justify their pain or explain why they're 'entitled' to support."
Personal Stories of Trauma and Resilience
Gemma Morgan, 52, from Herefordshire, joined the military in 1996 and served in Kosovo, where she witnessed atrocities that left her with undiagnosed PTSD. In 1999, she was raped by a colleague, an incident she kept quiet due to what she describes as an atmosphere of misogyny. "I became suicidal," she revealed. After being permanently medically downgraded and leaving the Army disillusioned, she was formally diagnosed with PTSD in 2006. She now advocates through her memoir, Pink Camouflage, and stresses that many women avoid the veteran label due to trauma or stigma, hindering their access to support.
Megan Lloyd, 41, from Surrey, was medically retired in 2023 after a training injury left her with nerve damage. She described feeling bereft and isolated upon leaving, with delayed support from the Ministry of Defence for necessary adaptations. "I went from being an officer to what felt like a prisoner in an unsuitable house," she said. Megan highlighted a culture where poor behaviour towards women was normalised, calling sexual assault "endemic" and urging for better support systems.
Gemma Kemble-Stephenson, 43, from Cardiff, was medically discharged in 2018 after sustaining injuries in deployments to Bosnia and Afghanistan. She struggled with identity loss and pain management, noting that transition programmes often overlook those forced out prematurely. "I suffered four miscarriages and was expected back after a week," she shared, criticising the hypermasculine culture that pressures women to prioritise their careers over personal health.
Government Response and Future Steps
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson outlined measures to address these issues, including the Raising Our Standards programme introduced in 2024, which features a prevention taskforce targeting violence against women and girls. "Unacceptable and criminal behaviour has no place in our Armed Forces," the spokesperson stated, pointing to new protections in the Armed Forces Bill and a Victim Witness Care Unit. Additionally, a women veterans' forum and toolkit have been launched to better meet the needs of female service providers.
The Help for Her campaign seeks to validate women's experiences and challenge outdated perceptions of veterans, ensuring no one feels invisible. As these ex-servicewomen's stories underscore, systemic barriers must be dismantled to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all who serve.
