Research has begun British A Royal Navy investigation after one of the first women to join the crew of a submarine complained to the press of sexual harassment and wore a hood.

Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ben Kee stressed that “sexual harassment has no place in the Royal Navy and will not be tolerated.”

In a tweet, he called the allegations in the complaint “disgusting” and said he had ordered an investigation. “Everyone who is found guilty must be held accountable for their actions, regardless of their rank,” he stressed.

My response to recent accusations in the press about inappropriate behavior in the submarine service: pic.twitter.com/HYQJklPjEk

— First Sea Lord (@FirstSeaLord) October 28, 2022

Violent, sexist behavior

The Daily Mail publishes in today’s newspaper the testimony of Sophie Brooke, one of the first women to serve on a Royal Navy submarine since the 2011 reform, when the service was no longer reserved for men.

“We were so close to coming out with something good. I was almost the first female submarine commander in the world (…), but from the first day I had no support, ”said Brooke.

She said the officers tried to force her to look away from the periscope, which is strictly prohibited. “If someone did that, they would get hit in the kidneys,” he explained.

Royal Navy submarine whistleblower reveals how male crew members ‘sexually harassed her’ https://t.co/V7INas54LJ

— Daily Mail UK (@DailyMailUK) October 28, 2022

Some others put their genitals in her pockets. She cited bullying and sexist behavior, “constant sexual harassment”, and that those who dared report what was happening were “isolated” and prevented from completing their education.

According to her account, corroborated by two former members of the Royal Navy, there was a list – one of male names and one of female names – of people who would be raped in the event of a “catastrophic” event at sea. “They used to tell me: you are number six … so if something goes wrong, run,” he reasoned.

Brooke also claimed that one of her colleagues exposed his genitals when an officer kissed her while she was sleeping. Her experience led her to self-mutilate, to the point where she needed nine stitches on her arm, but despite contrary medical advice, she was sent to do her shift.

“I had full responsibility for 165 crew members, a nuclear reactor and nuclear warheads with almost no sleep,” he stressed, emphasizing the danger of such a situation.

As of 2019, only 1% of British submarine crews are women.

Source: APE-MPE, AFP.