Nine instances of sexual assault were reported at a military academy that provides training to young individuals.
Nine rapes were reported to civilian police in 13 months at army training centre for teenagers where tragic Jaysley-Louise Beck had ‘toxic 20-month relationship with former instructor’ before ‘taking her own life’
Horrifying statistics reveal that civilian police received reports of nine incidents of rape at the Harrogate military college, where teenagers are being trained for careers in the British Army, within a span of 13 months.
The centre, which trains 16 and 17-year-olds, was where teenage soldier Jaysley-Louise Beck reportedly had a ‘toxic’ 20-month relationship with a former instructor before taking her life at 19.
An investigation into her death determined that the relationship started shortly after Gunner Beck departed from college and was considered a contributing factor to the teenager’s demise.
The recently revealed statistics, made public through freedom of information laws, have prompted significant concerns regarding the protection measures at Harrogate. This is particularly noteworthy as the college had previously received an ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted, the institution responsible for inspecting educational establishments.
Between July 22, 2022, and August 17, 2023, a total of thirteen sexual offenses were reported at the Army Foundation college. These included nine instances of rape, two cases of sexual assault, and two incidents of voyeurism, as stated by the police and crime commissioner of North Yorkshire.
In December 2021, Gunner Beck tragically took her own life after being exploited by four individuals, including her employer.
She had joined the Army in 2019 aged just 16 – having began recruit training at Harrogate before joining 47 Regiment, Royal Artillery.
Disturbing statistics reveal that there were a total of nine reported incidents of rape at the Harrogate military college, where teenagers undergo training to join the British Army, within a span of 13 months. (Please note that I cannot reword the image description.)
The statistics have prompted significant concerns regarding the protection measures at Harrogate, an institution that provides training for individuals aged 16 and 17. Harrogate had previously received an ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted.
An official investigation discovered that prior to her death, she experienced a prolonged period of unwanted behavior from a higher-ranking individual. This individual is now at risk of being dismissed from the Army.
It is unclear if the reports at Harrogate resulted in any investigations or prosecutions.
In Harrogate, a total of 22 individuals fell victim to sexual offenses in the year 2021. In January 2023, Cpl Simon Bartman, an instructor, was convicted of sexual assault and eight instances of cruel or indecent disgraceful conduct, resulting in a 20-month military detention sentence.
According to David Gee, an adviser from the Child Rights International Network (Crin), considering the available information, Harrogate cannot be considered a safe place.
He mentioned that the recruits’ young age has exacerbated the challenges, regardless of how welfare arrangements were organized.
He stated that this issue is not exclusive to Britain but rather a global problem that arises when young individuals are enlisted in the military. It cannot be resolved simply by implementing a strict policy and expecting it to disappear.
Britain is the only country in the whole of Europe to recruit teenagers aged 16 and 17 to its armed forces.
At Harrogate college, over 1,300 recruits are undergoing training, including approximately 11.7% of female personnel joining the armed forces.
It comes after teenage soldier Jaysley-Louise Beck, 19, (pictured) was ‘taken advantage’ of by four men including her boss before she tragically took her own life in December 2021. Gunner Beck joined the Army in 2019 – having began recruit training at Harrogate
According to David Gee, an adviser from the Child Rights International Network (Crin), he does not consider Harrogate to be safe based on the available information.
The centre was where teenager Gunner Beck reportedly had a ‘toxic’ 20-month relationship with a former instructor before taking her life at 19
Annabel Goldie stated that Harrogate received an ‘outstanding in all areas’ rating from Ofsted, which encompassed the ‘exceptional quality of duty of care and welfare provided’.
However, Mr. Gee stated that none of the reports from Ofsted in the last decade have made any references to recruitment abuse. Whenever we provide Ofsted with data and sources, they dismiss it as irrelevant to their inspections.
In June of the previous year, Paul Joyce, the deputy director of Ofsted, wrote a letter to Crin stating that any fresh claims of abuse should be reported to the police, the local children’s safeguarding board, and the army.
The letter read: ‘Ofsted does not investigate [armed] services complaints, nor do we play any part in army disciplinary processes or prosecutions.’
Gunner Beck, a soldier who enlisted in the Army at the age of 16, was pursued by men who sought romantic relationships with her.
At the moment of her passing, she was involved with a married senior non-commissioned officer who would often arrive intoxicated at her living quarters late at night.
A different male soldier, specifically a warrant officer, allegedly committed a sexual assault against her during a night out. He reportedly placed his hands between her legs and forcefully grabbed her by the neck at a party. In order to evade him, she sought refuge in a bathroom.
The report discovered that Gunner Beck’s death was partly influenced by a problematic and enduring connection with an instructor, which concluded on November 21, just before her passing.
The report indicated that several aspects of this relationship were favorable, but it was also marked by distrust and frequent accusations of infidelity from the boyfriend.
Gunner Beck’s sister, Emilli, 24, described her as ‘the most beautiful, caring and strongest person I know’. Emilli told The Times she believes her sister’s caring nature was ‘taken advantage of by people superior to her in the Army’.
The Army spokesperson stated that the Army Foundation college has robust safeguarding measures in place. They also mentioned that there are various ways to access welfare support, including confidential support lines.
