A senior male commander told a traumatized Royal Navy sailor who fell pregnant after being raped by a male colleague while serving on a vessel at sea that she should be “ashamed” of herself and have an abortion.
The female soldier, who was among the pioneering group of women to serve alongside men at sea for the first time in the 1990s, disclosed today that a prolonged period of’sexual trauma’ in the military left her with complicated PTSD.
She spoke out today as the Submarine Service continues its urgent investigation into claims of bullying, misogyny, and sexual harassment against women.
The woman identified as “Catherine” said she was raped forcefully while at sea, resulting in a pregnancy and injuries requiring medical attention.
She further said that when she addressed a very senior male officer, he assured her ‘in no uncertain terms’ that an abortion appointment could be scheduled.
When she eventually gave delivery, she ‘begged’ midwives to perform a caesarean because she ‘couldn’t handle the notion’ of medical personnel seeing the ‘damage’ to her genitalia caused by the rape.
Catherine became pregnant as a result of being raped while at sea. Photograph of a model posing
She told BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, “I begged my midwife to allow me to have a Caesarean because I couldn’t bear for anyone to witness the harm or anything else that had been caused previously.”
Catherine – not her real name – revealed that no one close to her is aware of the rape, for which she is now seeking counseling.
She claims that she never reported the attack to military authorities because she worried for her career and that her senior officers would view her as a “troublemaker.”
She stated, “It was pretty much drilled into me that you have to put up and shut up if you want a job.”
In a frightening account of the repercussions of her sexual assault, which left her “with bruising and scars,” she stated that nobody questioned how she became pregnant at sea, despite the fact that intimate interactions were prohibited on board.
Unaware of the rape, a high-ranking commander accused her of “casting shame on the Navy” because she was a single woman who became pregnant at sea.
Already, the Royal Navy has initiated a comprehensive investigation into complaints of sexual assault and misogyny within its ranks. A stock photograph depicting three Royal Navy patrol ships at sea
The man stated that if she were his daughter, he would feel “extremely humiliated” and even suggested she get an abortion.
She recalled, “He really offered me a few additional days off to go home and “contemplate my future” and told me in no uncertain terms that a “appointment” could be arranged for me next week and that I could return to the ship a few days later without any concerns.”
He did not utilize the term “abortion.” However, he informed me that an appointment might be scheduled for the following week and that I could return to the ship within a few days.
When people who you could potentially complain to or raise these issues to accuse you of wrongdoing, shame on the Navy, and disruption, how do you open your mouth and say, “Hold on, not once have you asked me if I’m okay with it; not once have you asked me how this even happened when there’s a no touch rule in effect and we have bailed out?”
“Not once did anyone ask me whether I was okay. It’s all a matter of “Oh my goodness, look what you’ve done; this is the shame you’re bringing upon yourself.”
The Department of Defense has asserted that it is vigorously combating allegations of sexism and abuse inside the armed forces. This stock photograph depicts sailors marching at the Lord Mayor’s Show in London.
The assault was the worst episode in a succession of abuses the former sailor allegedly endured, which included one of her supervisors resting his penis on her shoulder while she filed a report.
The retired female sailor stated that during her early career, Physical Training Instructors “expect[ed] sexual favors” from female recruits in exchange for their assistance with fitness.
She also alleged that during one of her earliest assignments at sea, her boss placed his penis on her shoulder while she typed.
Nothing was uttered. He just approached me from behind. He was observing my work, and there it was. Catherine stated that he placed his penis on her shoulder.
Do I need to make a big deal out of this? Do I continue [typing] and hope it disappears?’
In other cases, she recounted being slapped on the buttocks and hearing guys discuss how drunk they would have to be to have sex with ugly women.
Catherine states that as a result, she consciously attempted to gain weight. “I reasoned that if I could make myself unpleasant and repulsive, I would be less likely to be attacked, so I ate.”
You are less likely to be a target if you are too large or too unattractive.
The charges came only weeks after it was discovered that submariners had prepared a “crush depth rape list” that ordered women in the order in which they should be raped in the case of a catastrophe.
A senior source confirmed that the Navy was aware that ‘inappropriate sexualized behavior’ had damaged some women.
Admiral Sir Ben Key, First Sea Lord, was outraged by the ‘abhorrent’ behavior that purportedly occurred in the submarine service.
The Navy responded strongly to the claim, with First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key describing the remarks as “abhorrent.”
A defence insider told MailOnline today regarding the most recent findings, “There is just no justification for what occurred.” It is dreadful.
While it bothers me to read of the terrible treatment some military personnel received in the past, things have changed.
“I am certain that recent policy and action reforms undertaken by the Department of Defense and the Royal Navy will eliminate the fear of speaking out against this type of disgusting behavior.
If these advancements had occurred in the 1990s, perhaps her tale would have been different and she would have received the due assistance.
The abuse inside the Submarine Service, as reported by the Mail last month, is claimed to have been rampant for almost a decade after the branch abolished its long-standing prohibition on female recruitment in 2011.
Former pioneer Sophie Brook, who was one of the first women to enter the military, is among the whistleblowers.
The 30-year-old Sophie Brook, seen with her dog Ailsa, made history as the first female combat officer and was on track to become the first female captain of a submarine, but claims the military is “no place for women.”
Some members in the Submarine Service allegedly compiled a ‘rape list’ of women to determine which female sailor would be subjected to sexual abuse first in the event of a global catastrophe. Photograph posing by a model
She made history as the first female warfare officer and was on track to become the first female submarine captain. She primarily served on nuclear-armed submarines of the vanguard class.
However, the former lieutenant cautioned that the fleet, in which all submarines are nuclear-powered, is “no place for women,” and her distressing tale has been backed by two other whistleblowers who concur that the male-dominated branch has failed to offer a safe environment for women.
Admiral Sir Ben Key, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, stated that he was “very troubled” by the allegations and that an investigation had been initiated.
“I am deeply disturbed to hear of allegations of inappropriate behavior in the Submarine Service, and I want to reassure our people, and anyone reading this, that any activity which falls short of the highest standards set by the Royal Navy is totally unacceptable and not a true reflection of what service life should be,” he said.
These charges are reprehensible. Sexual assault and harassment are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the Royal Navy.
I have instructed my top team to conduct a comprehensive investigation into these allegations. Whoever is proven responsible for their conduct shall be held accountable, regardless of their level or standing.
Ben Wallace, Secretary of Defense, stated, “I am quite serious about addressing this issue.” I would also say that the Armed Forces I left 25 years ago are vastly different, and I would dispute the claim that the reforms we are implementing are having no effect.
Ben Wallace, the Secretary of Defence, stated that the military has changed drastically since he left it 25 years ago and that changes have been made to enhance how complaints are handled.
We are removing service complaints from the chain of command, investing in a new serious crime unit across all services, tying poor responses by commanders to their careers, taking swift administrative action to remove people when necessary, and ensuring a stricter than ever code of Crown Prosecution Service or Service Prosecuting Authority trial paths.
He continued, “Things are changing, and many women serving now would agree, but there are hurdles just as there are in the civilian world, so please do not judge us based on historical events that occurred long before both of us were doing the jobs we are doing now.”
In response to Catherine’s experiences, a Ministry of Defence spokeswoman stated, “While we cannot directly reply to such past claims, we take any complaint of this size extremely seriously and are prepared to convey any evidence the individual involved wishes to provide.”
In recent years, the Navy and the defense department have enacted numerous modifications to the way they handle cases of accused sexual misconduct.
“This summer, we implemented zero-tolerance policies to support the ability to terminate anyone who has committed a sexual offense or any other unacceptable sexual behavior, and we continue to enhance reporting mechanisms so that employees feel safe to raise concerns and are confident that allegations will be investigated.” Additionally, we have verified that reports of bullying, harassment, or discrimination are now handled by a third party outside of an individual’s chain of command.
“We can confirm that an independent investigating team, lead by a Senior Female Officer, has already undertaken a comprehensive examination of the recent allegations regarding incidents inside the Royal Navy and will shortly provide a report,” the statement reads.