- Four women who attended the Army Foundation College (AFC) at Harrogate allege they were subjected to gang-rape, sexual harassment, and voyeurism when they were aged 17.
- In the year to June, North Yorkshire Police received 16 reports of sexual offences linked to the college.
- UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) data showed that a total of 176 complaints of inappropriate sexual behaviour at the college were made between January 2018 and June 2025, with 32 against permanent staff and 144 against junior soldiers.
- In 2023, Corporal Daniel Conway was jailed for over seven years for raping a colleague, while Corporal Simon Bartram was sentenced to 20 months for sexual assault.
- The Atherton report in 2021 concluded that women were 'denied justice' by a 'woefully inadequate' military complaints process.
- The college has a dangerous culture of misogyny and sexual violence, according to the women who are speaking out for the first time.
Four women have come forward with allegations of gang-rape, harassment, and voyeurism at the Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate, UK, where they were subjected to sexual violence at the age of 17.1
The women, speaking out for the first time, describe a culture of misogyny and sexual violence at the college, which is the largest military training establishment for under-19s in the UK.
According to a BBC investigation, North Yorkshire Police received 16 reports of sexual offences linked to the college in the year to June, and Ministry of Defence data revealed 176 complaints of inappropriate sexual behaviour between January 2018 and June 2025.23
One survivor, Tilly, recounted a harrowing experience where she was raped by multiple junior soldiers for several hours. “I felt like a piece of meat,” she said, highlighting the dehumanizing treatment she endured. Tilly also noted that a sexist attitude towards women is perpetuated by some male instructors, who contribute to a hostile environment.
Another woman, Monica, described being trapped and sexually assaulted by a fellow soldier, while Cheryl shared that her friend had to sleep across her door to prevent male soldiers from entering.
The Army has acknowledged the seriousness of these allegations, with a spokesperson stating, “Unacceptable and criminal behaviour has absolutely no place in our Armed Forces.” They have introduced reforms to support victims, including the Defence Serious Crime Command, which provides specialist support through the justice process.
Despite these measures, the women’s experiences reveal a troubling culture that continues to affect young recruits at the AFC.
“North Yorkshire Police received 16 reports of sexual offences linked to the college in the year to June, and MoD data shows 176 complaints of inappropriate sexual behaviour between 2018 and 2025. Labour MP Emma Lewell calls for an independent inquiry, saying 'if this was anywhere else, it would have been closed down by now'.”
BBC
