Prospect calls for inquiry as survey reveals lack of progress on sexual harassment in defence
Prospect has written to Defence Minister Alistair Carns asking for an inquiry as a survey of female members working in defence reveals persistent and widespread concern about sexual harassment in the sector. Nearly half of workers surveyed say that their employer has taken no action to tackle sexual harassment in the last year.
A previous survey by Prospect last year showed that nearly 60% of respondents had personally been sexually harassed, with a similar proportion witnessing unwanted behaviours.
This follow up survey was to identify whether perceptions or attitudes had changed since then and to assess the effectiveness of measures implemented by MoD leaders since Prospect’s 2024 research uncovered rampant sexual harassment in the department and wider sector.
This year’s survey shows that very little has changed in the last 12 months with large numbers of women concerned both about the culture in the industry and about the ability and commitment of employers to adequately tackle sexual harassment.
As a result Prospect’s letter to the Minister calls for “an independent, solutions-focused inquiry with sufficient authority to deliver a very necessary shock to the system.”
The survey showed:
- A majority of respondents (57%) are not aware of any action being taken in the last 12 months to raise awareness of the harms of sexual harassment at work.
- Nearly half (46%) said their employer hasn’t taken any action to prevent sexual harassment in the last year. Where action was identified, just 28% of respondents felt it was effective, and 26% say that the action has not been effective. Most respondents have either not seen communications from their employer on sexual harassment (41%), or the policy has not been widely circulated (22%), less than 30% say that the policy on sexual harassment has been clearly communicated to staff.
- Confidence in the effectiveness of action taken to deter sexual harassment has fallen, from 47% in January 2024 to 39% in February 2025. The fall is sharpest in MoD Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs), where confidence has fallen from 46% in 2024 to 29% in 2025.
- Confidence in reporting incidents of sexual harassment has fallen in all organisations. In 2024, 65% of respondents felt confident to report an incident of sexual harassment, this has fallen to 58% in 2025. In the MoD confidence has fallen from 63% to 55%, in MoD ALBs from 61% to 56%, and in the private sector from 72% to 67%.
- A majority of respondents view behaviours in the defence sector as toxic and inappropriate – down from 65% in 2024 to 58% in 2025.
Since October 2024 employers have had a duty to take “reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment of employees.
Sue Ferns, Prospect’s Senior Deputy General Secretary, said:
“More than a year has passed since a series of disturbing revelations about the extent of sexual harassment in the MoD and wider defence sector and women do not feel that anything has changed. In fact, in a number of respects things have worsened.
“Nothing less than a wholescale top-down culture change will make this a sector that women feel safe working in. Our view is that an independent, solutions-focussed inquiry is the best way to deliver the shock the industry needs to change.
“The international situation has not been this perilous in a generation. We need the best people working in defence and we need to get the best out of them. That is not going to happen if 50% of the population are ‘being made to feel ill at ease due to the culture of misogyny and harassment.”
Prospect’s Sexual Harassment Support Service
If you’re a Prospect member and you think you have experienced sexual harassment, we’re here for you.
Our Sexual Harassment Support Service is staffed by a specially trained team who are here to listen to you and guide you through any formal process, should you wish.
>>> Find out more about our Sexual Harassment Support Service
>>> Download our Workplace Guide to Dealing with Sexual Harassment (PDF)
