Key facts
- Four young women have reported experiencing rape, sexual assault, and harassment at the Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate.
- The alleged incidents occurred over the past five years when the women were 17 years old.
- One woman reported being raped by multiple fellow junior soldiers in an attack that lasted hours.
- North Yorkshire Police received 16 reports of sexual offenses linked to the college in the year to June.
- A total of 176 complaints of inappropriate sexual behavior at the college were made between January 2018 and June 2025, involving both staff and junior soldiers.
Four young women have detailed experiences of rape, sexual assault, and harassment at the Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, a training establishment for teenagers. The women, who attended the college over the past five years and were aged 17 at the time, described a culture of misogyny and sexual violence.
One former soldier, identified as Tilly, reported being raped by multiple fellow junior soldiers in an attack that lasted hours. She stated she felt like 'a piece of meat' and left the Army two weeks after the incident. Tilly reported the alleged rape to police, but no charges were brought, with the Crown Prosecution Service describing the investigation as 'entirely inadequate.' She later reached a financial settlement with North Yorkshire Police.
Another woman, Monica, recounted being trapped in a room and sexually assaulted by a fellow soldier. A third woman's daughter, Amy, reportedly experienced sexual assault and daily sexual harassment, with her room's faulty lock forcing her to sleep across the door. The fourth woman, Ellie, described misogynistic attitudes from staff, including instructors making inappropriate comments and entering dorms without knocking.
North Yorkshire Police received 16 reports of sexual offenses linked to the college in the year to June, including allegations of exposure and voyeurism. Ministry of Defence data shows 176 complaints of inappropriate sexual behavior were made between January 2018 and June 2025, with 32 against permanent staff and 144 against junior soldiers.
In recent years, several adult instructors at AFC have been convicted by courts martial for physical and sexual violence, including Cpl Daniel Conway, jailed for rape, and Cpl Simon Bartram, sentenced for sexual assault. The women believe these convictions highlight a problematic college culture, with one recalling an instructor making derogatory comments about a victim.
An Army spokesperson stated that 'unacceptable and criminal behaviour has absolutely no place in our Armed Forces' and encouraged anyone with information to come forward, noting that reforms have been introduced to support victims. Labour MP Emma Lewell, a member of the Defence Committee, called for an urgent, independent inquiry into the college.