New Tri-Service Complaints Unit for Armed Forces: A Genuine Step Forward for Women in Defence?

The Ministry of Defence has announced a series of fundamental changes aimed at eradicating unacceptable behaviours in the military and improving support for women across UK Defence. At the heart of these reforms is a new Tri-Service complaints unit designed to handle serious complaints independently from the traditional chain of command.

Breaking the Chain of Command

In what represents a significant shift in military complaint handling, the newly announced unit will operate outside the individual command structures of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. This specialist team will focus specifically on the most serious complaints, including bullying, discrimination and harassment.

Defence Minister Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP, who will present these changes to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, emphasised the importance of this reform: "Our people have spoken, and we have listened. We are moving at pace to create a new Tri-Service Complaints team to take the most serious complaints out of the chain of single Service command for the first time."

This builds upon changes initiated in 2022, when complaints were first taken out of the direct chain of command to provide greater independence. The new system aims to further strengthen this approach by standardising complaint handling across all three services.

Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls

In addition to the complaints unit, the MOD is establishing a dedicated Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Taskforce. Led centrally by Minister Carns, this initiative will work to drive cultural change throughout the department.

The taskforce will be supported by:

• A network of regional champions to raise awareness and tackle violence against women and girls
• A Defence Voices Panel comprised of service personnel and civil servants who will provide feedback based on lived experiences
• Multidisciplinary experts including healthcare providers, social workers, and HR advisors
• Links to the Victim Witness Care Unit

Urgent Need for Reform

These changes come in response to increasing concerns about sexual violence and harassment in the Armed Forces. Following the inquest into Gunner Jaysley Beck's death earlier this year, many servicewomen have shared their experiences on social media, highlighting what some have described as a crisis in military culture.

A recent article in The Guardian described the Armed Forces as a "hunting ground" and shared the story of "Alice," a Captain who eventually resigned her commission after being sexually assaulted by a fellow officer. Like many women in similar situations, she chose not to report the incident out of fear for her military career.

Recruiting and Retaining Talent

These reforms have significant implications for military recruitment and retention, particularly as the Armed Forces continue to face staffing challenges. Colonel Katherine Richards (ret.), who served for 26 years in the British Army, commented on the personnel impact:

"The Armed Forces cannot afford to lose talented personnel because of toxic behaviours or environments. When skilled servicewomen leave because they don't feel safe or valued, we're not just losing individuals – we're losing years of training, experience and institutional knowledge. These reforms are as much about operational effectiveness as they are about basic decency and respect."

The MOD has explicitly linked these changes to its broader efforts to improve service life. Carns noted that "Women in the armed forces play a vital role in our keeping our nation safe. This is not just a matter of basic justice and equality, it is essential to military effectiveness."

Broader Reform Efforts

These initiatives form part of a wider package of reforms, including:

• The Armed Forces Commissioner Bill, currently in Committee Stage in the Lords, which will establish an independent champion for service personnel and their families
• A significant military pay rise announced in July, described as the largest in over 20 years
• A landmark deal to bring the military housing estate back into public ownership

Will It Make a Difference?

Despite these positive steps, there remains scepticism about whether these changes will lead to meaningful improvement. Legal experts and advocates for servicewomen point out that this is not the first time new policies and procedures have been launched to address these issues.

As one senior paralegal specialising in military claims noted: "We are still waiting to see any noticeable change to the culture and attitudes found within the Armed Forces when it comes to sexual violence against women."

The success of these initiatives will ultimately depend on their implementation and the genuine commitment of leadership at all levels to transform military culture. For the thousands of women currently serving in the UK Armed Forces, these reforms represent hope for a safer, more supportive environment – but the real test will be in the results they deliver.