Sexual abuse investigation widened to Navy and RAF

14 hours ago

Kirsten RobertsonWiltshire

News image — More than 500 people have been in contact with police in response to Operation Pianora

BBC Legs, the identity of each person obscured, walk in a row with camouflaged trousers and black Army boots — More than 500 people have been in contact with police in response to Operation Pianora

More than 500 people have reported being sexually abused during military medical examinations, police say.

An investigation was launched by Wiltshire Police after recruits alleged they had been abused during medical examinations to join the Army.

The force said it has since been contacted by people who reported incidents from the 1970s up to 2016 at locations across the UK and the investigation, named Operation Pianora, has now been widened to include both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

Veterans and people minister Louise Sandher-Jones called the scale of the response "very disturbing", and pledged to root out sexual misconduct "wherever we find it".

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Sandher-Jones MP added: "The scale of this response is deeply disturbing, but it highlights the courage of those coming forward to share these distressing experiences.

"I want to assure every single person that their voice matters."

Police have received reports from both serving and former military personnel, as well as people who did not join the armed forces following their enlistment medical examinations.

Senior Investigating Officer at Wiltshire Police, Det Supt Darren Hannant, said: "The number of people who have contacted us highlights the seriousness of the abuse being reported, my team and I are committed to engaging with each survivor and witness.

"Those who serve, or seek to serve, our country deserve to be treated with dignity and respect at every stage. I urge anyone with information to come forward - you will be listened to and supported."

Wiltshire Police said Army recruits had told officers about historic sexual abuse during medical exams at numerous locations across the UK.

Gemma Morgan, who works with organisations to improve life for women in the Armed Forces, previously claimed she was "aghast" but "not surprised" at the allegations.

Meanwhile Anthony King, a professor of war studies at the University of Exeter, described the situation as "deeply disturbing".

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