Sexual Abuse During Army Recruitment Medicals

Compensation for survivors of Sexual Abuse during army recruitment medicals

An investigation is currently being conducted on a national scale by Wiltshire Police. The inquiry is looking into allegations of sexual abuse made during army recruitment medical examinations, spanning all the way from the 1970s and up to 2016, with the full support of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

MoD sources have stated that such examinations at the time were carried out by contracted doctors.

It is currently uncertain whether or not the scope of this investigation will extend to include women who signed up to serve in the Royal Navy and RAF (Royal Air Force).

Oakwood Solicitors is a Silver Tier Member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and defends the rights of servicemen and women, as well as support staff, reserves and veterans.

We have a great deal of experience in the field of sexual and physical abuse litigation and our staff have a trauma-informed approach, offering confidential advice with no judgement.

What are my rights?

Sexual assault is a criminal offence, whether it takes place within a military setting or not. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) owes recruits and every other member of staff it employs a duty of care to protect them from harm.

If this duty of care is breached, you may be eligible to pursue a Civil claim for compensation.

Our expert team of experienced Solicitors and support staff can help with:

Reporting the incident
Informing you of your legal rights
Securing specialist support
Making a compensation claim against the MoD

We understand that coming forward can be difficult, but you are not alone. All discussions are confidential, handled with care, respect and confidentiality, and most cases can proceed on a no-win, no-fee basis.

What compensation can I claim for?

Civil claims for sexual or physical abuse can include the following types of compensation:

General damages – An award of money for the abuse/assaults themselves and for the pain, suffering and any psychological trauma or other emotional effects. It can also cover future losses, including future loss of earnings, future care and/or therapy, rehabilitation, support etc.
Special damages – An award for any specific financial losses we can prove, such as loss of earnings or the costs of any medical treatment, therapy, rehabilitation or counselling.
Aggravated damages – An additional award of money in certain cases where the court considers that there has been additional psychological harm caused by the manner in which the abuse occurred.

Your case-handler will walk you through every step of the process and answer any questions or ease any concerns you may have. Each case is completely unique, and therefore it must be handled in a way that suits you best as an individual.

Who is the claim against?

Any Civil compensation claim for sexual abuse during a medical examination would be brought against the Ministry of Defence.

Why choose Oakwood Solicitors Ltd?

Our in-house team of legal experts specialise in military abuse and Ministry of Defence negligence claims, working with a trauma-informed, survivor-focused approach and offering confidential advice.

Our experienced staff have handled many historic abuse cases and related complex matters, and we have also featured on various news outlets offering our expertise.

We offer a free confidential claim assessment, and agree to work on your military sexual abuse claim on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis. If we are unsuccessful, you will not be expected to pay us a penny.

If you are successful in your claim, we take a percentage of the compensation meaning that the only time we will receive money is if we have brought your claim to a positive conclusion.

You will have a dedicated advisor who will see your claim through from start to finish, assisting you in the event of any queries or issues you may have. If it is preferable to you, we can assign one of our female advisors to conduct your claim.

Your case handler will also continue to provide regular updates until the conclusion of your claim, ensuring the process is as stress-free and effortless as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an historic abuse claim?

If you are a survivor of abuse in the past, whether that be sexual abuse or physical assault, you may be entitled to claim compensation for the impact it had upon your health.

A claim can be made for the physical impact to your health but also, and often more importantly, it can also be made for any damage it may have caused to your mental health.

Compensation can be claimed for personal injury and also any financial losses you may have suffered as a result of your ill health.

What action should I take in the event of abuse?

If you or someone you know has been subjected to abuse, it is crucial to report it to the police immediately. Abuse is a criminal act that requires thorough investigation by the appropriate authorities.

Reporting can help prevent further harm and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.

Will I have to face my abuser?

It is very unlikely that you will have to face your abuser, either in court or at any point in the claim.

Such claims are brought against the Ministry of Defence itself. It is unusual for the person who abused you to have to give evidence in a Civil case.

What if my abuse happened some time ago?

There are time limits for making a claim for compensation. However, each case is considered on its own merits – so depending on circumstances, a claim may still be successful, despite being outside of a time limit.

Claims regarding sexual assault and psychological trauma can take many years to come to terms with, and this is usually taken into account.

It is, however, important that a claim is pursued as soon as possible to avoid any complications.

Molly Frost - Abuse Claims Solicitor

Molly Frost joined the Firm in June 2024 and specializes in abuse compensation claims. Having over 20 years’ experience helping survivors recover compensation, she is considered an expert in her field. Molly has acted as lead Solicitor in several group litigation matters arising out of abuse in children’s homes, and has been involved in several high-profile cases.