A leaked Ministry of Defence review has exposed serious failings in the military’s new serious-crime command, reinforcing AOAV’s longstanding concerns that Britain’s armed forces still struggle to investigate abuse, protect victims and deliver credible accountability.

Here AOAV offers up a critique of two recent VE Day commentaries – reactionary narratives that distort history to undermine diversity and soft power in Britain’s armed forces.

The British military has removed sexual harassment investigations from the chain of command following public pressure, a move AOAV calls long overdue, but concerns remain over whether the reforms will bring true accountability without full civilian oversight.

This ground-breaking report presents a thorough and empathetic exploration of the challenges faced by servicewomen in the aftermath of sexual assault within the British military, calling for significant institutional reforms.