Why military trainees must be protected with new law on relationships
Two Army instructors have appeared in military court accused of having sex with a 17-year-old recruit who they referred to as their “naked maid”, in a case that has renewed attention on the risks faced by young recruits.
The pair both deny sexual activity with a child, and the trial continues. While no verdict has yet been given in this case, there have been separate incidents in the past which highlight the risks to trainees.
Within the military, trainees – often aged 16-19 – work in a setting of intensive training, strict command structure, power imbalance, and dependency. That very structure creates fertile ground for exploitation when those in positions of authority exceed their legitimate remit.
At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we have long argued that relationships between instructors and trainees are never relationships of equals. In our 2025 Manifesto for Injured People, we laid out the case for making such relationships a criminal offence, because the imbalance of power is inherent and predictable.
We see three central points:
1. The power balance is stark and systemic
The trainee is subject to the instructor not only for training but often for welfare, assessment, discipline and future career opportunities. An instructor’s favour or disfavour can affect course results, advancement, future posting or draft, even whether they remain in service or are discharged during basic training. Even a consensual relationship cannot be free from coercion or pressure.
2. Trust and vulnerability must be safeguarded.
Military training demands trust: trainees trust instructors to keep them safe, develop their skills and to help guide their progression. When trust is breached by sexual misconduct, the consequences are often psychological, professional, and personal. Allegedly calling the 17-year-old recruit a “naked maid” highlights not only the wrongdoing but the demeaning, exploitative dimension of the conduct.
3. Legal and cultural change is essential.
While the military has made some steps in addressing harassment and abuse, the unique instructor-trainee relationship remains unregulated in criminal law. Our BBK Manifesto calls for the Government to criminalise instructor-trainee relationships, to send a clear deterrent message and to embed change.
The reputational risks to military training establishments are significant. More importantly, the human cost of traumatised recruits, broken trust, and potentially ruined lives, is intolerable.
The trial continues.
