According to the MoD, new rules stipulate that anyone found doing this will be expelled from the military.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence will no longer allow its troops to engage the services of prostitutes while stationed abroad. This is part of an effort to combat abuse within its ranks, according to the British military on Tuesday.
These new restrictions were part of a new package that aims to combat sexual abuse and exploitation in the military. The ministry stated that any service member who violates the rules of conduct, including using sex workers abroad while on deployment, will be expelled from the military.
However, it does not deal with the question of soliciting these services on UK soil where prostitution can be legal.
“This policy supports Defence’s commitment to crack down on unacceptable sexual behaviour and prohibits all sexual activity which involves the abuse of power, including buying sex whilst abroad. Every allegation, no matter the location, will be addressed. Anyone found guilty of engaging in these targeted behaviors will face a presumption that they will be dismissed.,” the statement reads.
The new policy also prohibits personnel from sexual relations with those of more junior rank, an arrangement that could be considered an “imbalance of power.”
The ministry is taking preventative actions to avoid such situations. This includes raising awareness, understanding the issues, and offering training in relation to various types of sex-related offences.
“This measure sends a strong message to our Armed Forces that predatory, discriminatory or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated”, said Leo Docherty, UK Minister for Defence People.
Meanwhile, Ben Wallace, the UK’s defense secretary, failed to explain why it took the Armed Forces so long to come up with such policies.
“Don’t ask me, I’m the defence secretary who’s now taken it over, and life’s moved on. It’s a different generation. Things are very different in Germany.,” he said, speaking at an air show in Farnborough.
These new policies were implemented after British soldiers deployed abroad received renewed scrutiny following a report in 2012 that Agnes Wanjiru (Kenyan woman) was actually killed by a British serviceman. This victim was reportedly providing sex service to British soldiers. After what was claimed to be a party with British troops at the Lions Court hotel in the town of Nanyuki, the victim’s body was reportedly found in a septic tank behind the building.
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