Survivors of alleged child sex abuse linked to a school on a British Army barracks pursue legal claim after Royal Military Police investigation closed

The alleged abuse occurred in the 1980s when the two women were 10 years old and attending a primary school for the children of troops stationed in Germany. Besides each other, they recall not telling anyone about the abuse they experienced, not even their parents.

Last year, the RMP reportedly told the survivors it had been unable to prove that the alleged perpetrator of their abuse was employed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). However, openDemocracy says it has seen archives which confirm the alleged perpetrator was a member of school staff.

The news outlet said, “while the document we uncovered is not definitive proof of employment, it raises serious questions about the extent and effort of the RMP’s inquiries in this case, and in other cases of child sex offences in army schools that we have reviewed”.

Both women told openDemocracy how disappointed they have been by the RMP’s response since they reported their alleged abuse.

The Ministry of Defence said, “this matter is subject to a review by the Defence Serious Crime Command’s Professional Standards Department; as the matter is ongoing, we will not comment further.”

Both survivors are now pursuing a civil claim against the MoD for the alleged abuse, represented by Andrew Lord, a partner in the abuse claims team at law firm, Leigh Day.

Leigh Day partner, Andrew Lord said:

“It is vital that no stone is left unturned during investigations into non-recent child abuse, and so it is alarming that the RMP may have closed their investigation without first having sight of potentially important archival documents.

“My clients bravely placed their trust in the system but sadly they saw the process dragged out to an unsatisfactory outcome. They have now turned to civil action for a sense of justice, and I would ask that anyone who may have relevant information to please reach out.”

Anybody who may have relevant information can contact Andrew Lord using the details here.