An investigation initiated by Admiral Sir Ben Key, head of the Royal Navy, has confirmed a culture of “misogyny, bullying, and other unacceptable behaviours” within the Submarine Service.
The inquiry, which began in 2022 following allegations from former lieutenant Sophie Brook, highlighted a toxic environment where female personnel were subjected to severe harassment and abuse.
Brook, who has since left the service, described enduring a “constant campaign of sexual bullying.”
In addition to numerous instances of lewd comments and inappropriate behaviour, the investigation also uncovered at least one reported case of rape. The report implicates both junior and senior officers in creating and perpetuating the hostile environment.
In response to the findings, Admiral Key issued a public apology: “The investigation has confirmed misogyny, bullying and other unacceptable behaviours did occur during the investigation period, and this is intolerable.”
He added, “As the head of the Royal Navy, today I also offer a public apology, both to Ms Brook and to any personnel—past or present—that have been subject to any form of unacceptable behaviour during their time in service. I am truly sorry.”
The investigation’s recommendations have already led to significant actions within the Royal Navy. Several individuals have been discharged, and a new “zero-tolerance policy” on sexual misconduct has been implemented.
Key recommendations include the formalisation of a policy requiring Commanding Officers within the Submarine Fleet to produce Command Directives aligned with Royal Navy values and standards. These directives will be regularly reviewed to ensure compliance with the new behavioural expectations.
The report further outlined the need for enhanced leadership training, recommending the introduction of a “people-centred approach to leadership” within all submarine training, including the Submarine Command Course. Another critical step involves reinforcing the duty of personnel to report unacceptable behaviour, with reminders issued during all routine briefings.
The Royal Navy also recognised the need for ongoing monitoring of command climates to prevent the recurrence of such toxic environments. “Before and after each deployment, a team will visit crews to assess operational culture and provide feedback to sustain healthy working conditions,” the report stated.
Additionally, the report identified areas for improvement in victim care. It recommends that victims of serious offences, such as rape and sexual assault, be provided with access to a Victim Liaison Officer and other forms of specialised support.
Other measures include strengthening the reporting of unacceptable behaviour through confidential channels and improving the process for exit interviews to capture data on those leaving due to harassment or abuse.
Admiral Key concluded with a commitment to ensuring long-term change within the Royal Navy: “We must be better than this and do better than we have.” The investigation’s recommendations are being closely monitored, with annual checks put in place to validate compliance across the Submarine Fleet.
There will always be bullies, but if the institution is well run and supportive then the impact they have can be minimised. Given women represent 10% of the work force and RN is desperately short of people looking after everyone has got to be a priority or, putting the moral arguments to one side for a moment, operational effectiveness could be seriously impacted especially on a sub. Just one person not concentrating because of what is happening to then on aboard could put the whole boat and crew at risk. Bullies are the worst. On the plus side the initial… Read more »
I am sorry to say it, but this was always going to occasionally happen in submarines. Same sort of reason some didn’t want women in tank crews.
I’m not sorry to say it’s completely unacceptable, recruits have committed suicide, incidents of sexual assault etc etc and at that point the Commander in Chief was a woman. How ironic ! For any organisation to function efficiently every single person has to able to trust their colleagues and that has to be more so in a military unit where lives are at risk. So where were the NCO’s and Officers or are they no longer responsible for all those under their command ? I never served in the forces but ended up as a manager in a large industrial… Read more »
Remove the ladies, not because it’s right but because it’s pragmatic. The operational capability of the sub is what matters. It is sad but unfortunately human nature is what it is.😔
They need all the manning they can get. They need to attract more females to the service.
They need to attract more people, full stop. I have an ex WREN Cousin; a just retired commander God daughter and a serving NCO (another Cousin) in my family, all female. I rang one this morning who lives locally to ask her view and whilst she is a tough no nonsense young lady she doesn’t think that mixed crews for subs is a good idea. For what it’s worth.🙄
I admire anyone who is willing to serve on subs. Incredible machines. But it’s a very unique way of life. Many of them love it and wouldn’t serve on anything else. I liked fresh air and sunshine myself and the waft of aviation fuel across the flight deck.
Dreadnought is designed for mixed crews and SSN-A will be too, It not just the way the wind is blowing. It has already blown.
The armed forces are fundamentally a masculine place. If women are to serve, perhaps they ought to be seperate.
I read the other day,and I think I’m right, that the MOD/forces have 97 different diversity and inclusion groups. Perhaps they should start with getting rid of those along with the useless recruitment co. and start offering jobs in the High Street again. I kmow…I’m just dreaming about common sense…😉
There is no such thing as common sense, if there was more of us would have it.
Are women equal to men in this particular environment, being submerged for considerable periods of time?
As in medically and psychologically. Not the oft suggested lack of physicality compared to men in say an infantry battlefield role.
I ask as, has an all female crew ever been considered?
Sure, you may still have sexual harassment and internal feuds even then.
Discipline, it is not difficult.
Except when trying to keep people in the service who should not have been there in the first place.
As an ex-Army wallah I would say – what are the sergeants doing?
Petty officers I presume in this case. They would appear to be the problem.
The amount of idiots in this comments section suggesting that removing women from the submarine service is a solution is concerning. Not only is a ridiculous suggestion, the RN does not have the manpower to do so.
Semi-related factoid: USS New Jersey (SSN 796?), the first Virginia class submarine specifically designed to accommodate a co-ed crew, was commissioned on 14 Sep 24. Approximately 730 female USN sailors are assigned to submarine duty as of Aug 24. Would presume that Coumbia, Dreadnought, and SSN-A designs are/will be designed to accommodate co-ed crews. The fact that future submarines are becoming significantly larger dimensionally may ease the implementation of that requirement. 🤔