Sandhurst military academy looks to boost number of female recruits after sex abuse scandal
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst has brought in psychologists in a bid to boost the number of female recruits after the recent sex abuse scandal.
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst has brought in psychologists in a bid to boost the number of female recruits after the recent sex abuse scandal.
The Army has implemented a new Critical Mass trial at the military academy to try and increase the number of women in a platoon from 10 percent to 30 percent, reported the Telegraph.
The trial is based on Harvard Business School Rosabeth Moss Kanters critical mass theory.
It theorised that when an organisational minority assumes a presence of one third or more of a group, it can influence or tilt the culture of the overall group.
Occupational psychologists are collecting and analysing data with areas being looked at including psychological safety and job satisfaction.
Officer Cadets commissioning as Army Officers stand easy in the College Square ahead of the Sovereigns Parade at the old college of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in April
Officer Cadets parade during the Sovereigns Parade on August 9. Sandhurst is the training centre for prospective Army officers, with cadets typically training there for 44 weeks
An Army source told the Telegraph: It understands it needs to keep working in a safe, supportive and positive environment for all officers, men and women.
Officer Cadet Kira Dent of 5 Platoon told Forces News that the the programme is helping the Army improve its leadership training.
I think a lot of people from... my dads era will always say that the Armys gone soft.
But I think it hasnt. Its just prioritised what actually makes people better leaders.
Officer Cadet Bradley Rigby added: There are some lads that very much dont want females in the Army, but I dont have an issue.
I think if as long as they pass all the tests that are put in front of them, then theres no reason they cant do just as good a job as a male.
It comes two years after charity Salute Her UK urged Army chiefs and the Ministry of Defence to confront predatory behaviour at the Royal Military Academy.
The charity, which represents female military personnel who have experienced sexual abuse, claimed there is an epidemic of rape culture in the military.
Over two decades, 177 women had sought help after suffering abuse at officer training site Sandhurst, it said. The charitys boss Paula Edwards said that of 3,170 women on its database, over half were raped while in the Armed Forces.
Meanwhile, a damning report in 2022 found that 19 sexual relationships had been taking place between instructors and cadets before a trainee took her own life.
The report highlighted the number of forbidden relationships as a factor in the suicide of Olivia Perks in 2019.
The 21-year-old had been in a secret relationship with an Army gym instructor in the months before her death.
Olivia Perks, 21, took her own life at Sandhurst in 2019, with a report highlighting the number of forbidden relationships as a factor in her suicide
After her inquest ended, Sandhurst commandant Major-General Zac Stenning acknowledged the systemic and individual failings which led to the tragic death
At the end of a three-week inquest, the coroner recorded a verdict of suicide and highlighted a string of failures and missed opportunities before her death, which came just days after a drunken ball when she had ended the night in a senior male member of staffs room.
After the inquest ended, Sandhurst commandant Major-General Zac Stenning acknowledged the systemic and individual failings which led to the tragic death.
Most poignantly, the coroner ruled that it was possible measures could have been put in place which would have prevented Livs death.
Sandhurst is the training centre for prospective Army officers, with cadets typically training there for 44 weeks.
An Army Spokesperson told MailOnline: The Royal Military Academy is constantly seeking to optimise the training it delivers to Britains next generations of Army leaders.
The Critical Mass trial is looking at options to improve the living and working environment at Sandhurst, particularly for female Officer Cadets, to ensure they are all able to achieve success on their Commissioning Course.
