Key facts
- The UK government is reviewing jurisdiction agreements with the US military.
- The review concerns crimes committed by US personnel on UK soil.
- British police forces may be ceding jurisdiction to US military investigators.
- US military courts in the UK are charging some service members with 'sexual assault' instead of rape.
- The Uniform Code of Military Justice has a narrower definition of rape than British law.
- This practice may allow US personnel to avoid the British justice system.
- Experts and victims' advocates express concern over justice for survivors.
- The discrepancy in legal definitions may deepen trauma for survivors.
The UK government is undertaking a review of its arrangements with the US military concerning criminal jurisdiction for offenses committed by US personnel on UK soil. This review is prompted by concerns that British police forces are ceding jurisdiction to US military investigators. Such arrangements could allow US service members to evade the British justice system and instead face trial in US military courts.