The Ministry of Defence has set out a programme of reforms aimed at strengthening and modernising the Service Justice System, including changes under the Armed Forces Bill focused on victim support and improved handling of serious offences.
In a written parliamentary answer published on 3 February, Defence Minister Louise Sandher-Jones said investigations, prosecutions and victim support had “significantly improved” in recent years, with the government seeking to build on progress through further legislative and procedural changes.
Sandher-Jones said the Armed Forces Bill includes measures intended to strengthen how the Service Justice System tackles violence against women and girls, enhance support and rights for victims, and modernise investigation, charging and discipline procedures.
The minister highlighted the Defence Serious Crime Command, launched in December 2022, which she said operates independently of the chain of command to ensure impartial investigations into serious offences committed in the UK and overseas. The command is implementing the National Operating Model under Operation Soteria, aligning investigations into rape and serious sexual offences with guidance from the National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing.
She also pointed to the Victim Witness Care Unit, which provides independent, trauma-informed support to victims and witnesses through dedicated Victim Liaison Officers and operates outside the Armed Forces chain of command. The minister said published administrative data suggests that adult rape-flagged cases are dealt with more quickly in the Service Justice System than in the civilian criminal justice system, with fewer victims withdrawing from proceedings. She stated that in 2024 adult rape-flagged cases reached an outcome in the Crown Court in 358 days, with 19 per cent of victims withdrawing, compared to 199 days in the Court Martial with no victims withdrawing.
Sandher-Jones also said conviction rates could not be directly compared due to differences in volume and procedure, but cited figures indicating that excluding guilty pleas, 51 per cent of adult rape-flagged cases between 2022 and 2024 in the Court Martial resulted in conviction, compared with 36 per cent in the Crown Court. She referenced a November 2024 report by HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate on the Service Prosecuting Authority, which stated that “the level of timeliness and support for victims in the Service Justice System is something we would like to see afforded to all victims in all jurisdictions.”
The answer was issued in response to a question from Labour MP Will Stone, who asked what steps were being taken to improve the Service Justice System.
When you got charged under THE ARMY ACT 1955 you had done what you were charged with i was more than once. You took like a man and accepted it, was charactor building if it was not a serious crime. I agree for those who were a victim nothing or little was done to help, depending on what was were just told to man up. Some crimes you simply can not do that and will need help to move on. Army dicipline is weaker than it used to be, not saying that is right or wrong.
Not enough senior NCO’s or WO’s are delt with when most of the sexual issues are commited by that group. Justice in the Army is faster and normally more harsh than civil convictions but more needs to be done. The one hat fits all its wrong as is jumping on the band wagon.
ECHR and other laws have an effect and that must be the directing facter in change, fair for all not just knee jurk and punishment has to fit the crime. If you are a leader then lead by example, if fail in that you should not be a leader.