UK Military: Take Sexual Assault Cases Seriously!
Corporal Anne-Marie Ellement recently killed herself 23 months after an alleged rape by two Royal Military police officers, which was followed by bullying. The officers were never prosecuted.
The 2006 Armed Forces act states that commanding officers don't have to refer sexual assault allegations to the police, and have the freedom to investigate themselves or choose not to.
Ellement's sister Sharon Hardy commented, "I would find it hard to believe that any commanding officer would have any form of training in relation to sexual assaults, bearing in mind unit welfare officers only have to attend a three-day course to hold a welfare position in the army and these are people potentially offering day-to-day support to victims of sexual crime."
The current system is not effectively protecting victims of sexual assault. Please sign the petition to convince UK Defense Secretary Philip Hammond to change current laws so that all sexual assault allegations are referred to the police.
As you may know, Corporal Anne-Marie Ellement recently killed herself 23 months after an alleged rape by two Royal Military police officers, which was followed by bullying. The officers were never prosecuted.
We understand that the 2006 Armed Forces act states that commanding officers don't have to refer sexual assault allegations to the police, and have the freedom to investigate themselves or choose not to.
Ellement's sister Sharon Hardy commented, "I would find it hard to believe that any commanding officer would have any form of training in relation to sexual assaults, bearing in mind unit welfare officers only have to attend a three-day course to hold a welfare position in the army and these are people potentially offering day-to-day support to victims of sexual crime."
The current system is not effectively protecting victims of sexual assault.We respectfully urge you to change current laws so that all sexual assault allegations are referred to the police. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
