Four former female recruits have accused the Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, of fostering a culture of misogyny, sexual harassment and abuse during their training. The women, who attended the military college within the past five years and were all 17 years old at the time of the alleged incidents, said they experienced serious sexual misconduct while preparing for Army careers. One of them alleged she was raped by several fellow junior soldiers during an assault that lasted for hours.

The women, whose identities have been protected with pseudonyms, described separate accounts of rape, sexual assault and persistent harassment. One former recruit, identified as Tilly, said she left the Army two weeks after the alleged attack, while another, Monica, alleged she was trapped in a room and sexually assaulted by a fellow trainee. A third woman, Amy, was said to have endured repeated harassment, while a fourth, Ellie, claimed some instructors made sexist remarks, rated female recruits on their appearance and entered female dormitories without warning. The Army described the allegations as “extremely distressing and serious” and said criminal behaviour has no place in the Armed Forces.

Official records obtained through a Freedom of Information request showed North Yorkshire Police received 16 reports of sexual offences linked to the college in the year ending June, including allegations of sexual assault, exposure and voyeurism. Separately, Ministry of Defence data recorded 176 complaints of inappropriate sexual behaviour at the college between January 2018 and June 2025, comprising 32 allegations against permanent staff and 144 involving junior soldiers. While the Army pointed to safeguarding reforms and specialist support for victims, campaigners and Labour MP Emma Lewell, a member of the Defence Committee, called for an independent inquiry into the college’s culture and safeguarding practices.

The allegations add to wider concerns about the treatment of women in the UK Armed Forces. Previous parliamentary and Ministry of Defence reviews have highlighted persistent problems involving sexual harassment, assault and discrimination, with one report finding that 67% of female service personnel experienced at least one form of sexualised behaviour over a 12-month period. The Army said the college remains committed to providing a safe and professional environment for all recruits and urged anyone who has experienced or witnessed unacceptable behaviour to report it through the available channels.