The UK Army Foundation College, one of Britain’s biggest military training colleges for teenagers, has come under scrutiny after several former women recruits accused it of fostering a culture of misogyny, sexual harassment and sexual assault.
At least four women who trained at the UK Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, over the past five years told the BBC that they were sexually assaulted while they were just 17 years old.
The women, who have since left the Army, alleged that both fellow recruits and some instructors contributed to an unsafe environment where inappropriate behaviour was ignored or even encouraged.
The AFC is the UK’s largest military training centre for recruits under the age of 19 and currently trains nearly 900 young soldiers, including around 70 women.
The allegations come at a time when concerns about the treatment of women in the British military are already growing. According to the UK’s first official survey on the issue, nearly 67% of women serving in the Armed Forces said they had experienced at least one incident of unwanted sexual behaviour by a male colleague in the previous year.
Complaints reveal a troubling pattern
The BBC investigation found that the North Yorkshire Police received 16 reports of sexual offences linked to the college in the year leading up to June. These included allegations of sexual assault, voyeurism and indecent exposure. However, it remains unclear whether any of these complaints resulted in criminal prosecutions.
Official data from the UK Ministry of Defence also showed that between January 2018 and June 2025, a total of 176 complaints of inappropriate sexual behaviour were made at the college. Of these, 32 were against permanent staff members, while 144 involved junior soldiers.
Survivors share their experiences
One former recruit, identified as Tilly to protect her identity, said she had dreamed of joining the Army since childhood. She alleged that she was gang-raped by several fellow recruits after being invited into a room.
“They treated me like I wasn’t even a person. I felt completely helpless,” she told the BBC, adding that she left the Army just two weeks later. Tilly also claimed that after the incident, an instructor spread insulting rumours about her instead of supporting her. Although she reported the alleged rape to police, no charges were filed.
Another former recruit, referred to as Monica, said she was trapped inside a room by a fellow soldier and sexually assaulted before managing to escape. Amy’s mother, Cheryl, claimed her daughter faced constant harassment during training and even had to block her bedroom door at night because the lock did not work. A fourth woman, Ellie, alleged that instructors openly made sexist comments about female recruits and would enter girls’ dormitories without warning.
Army says abuse has no place in its ranks
The British Army described the allegations as “extremely distressing and serious.” In a statement, it said, “There is absolutely no place for unacceptable or criminal behaviour in the Armed Forces.” The Army said it encourages victims and witnesses to report misconduct and highlighted recent reforms, including the Defence Serious Crime Command, to provide independent support and improve the handling of such cases.
