The service justice response to sexual offending in the UK military: What can we learn from victim-survivors’ experiences?

This article presents findings of empirical research with British ex-servicewomen who were subject to military sexual trauma (MST) during their military careers. Drawing on eight in-depth qualitative interviews, we explore their experiences and perceptions of the service justice system (SJS), revealing good practice alongside persistent, ingrained barriers to justice. Ranging from lack of information and victim-survivor support through to inadequate investigations and social and professional retaliation, our findings illustrate structural, cultural and operational challenges throughout the SJS response to MST. Centring victim-survivors’ voices, our findings capture a spectrum of engagement with the SJS and contribute unique insights into how the process is perceived and navigated by victim-survivors. They underscore the need for continued engagement with victim-survivors as reforms are implemented and evaluated.