Military 'not doing enough to stop sex attacks'

CHARITY BOSS'S SHOCKING CLAIMS OF ASSAULTS ON WOMEN IN ARMED FORCES

- By KRISTY DAWSON

A NORTH East woman claims that 82% of the women she helps through her charity have been raped or sexually assaulted while serving in the military or at sea.

Paula Edwards runs Salute Her UK from the John Willie Sams Centre in Dudley, North Tyneside.

The 44-year-old set up the charity in 2021 to support female veterans from the UK as well as those serving in the Armed Forces and at sea. She said that 82% of the 6,000 women which she helps have been raped or sexually assaulted while serving.

Paula, who lives in Dudley, and her team of therapists are providing them with help. She said she runs the only military sexual trauma group in the country.

The trauma therapist said: "We work with 6,000 women and about 82% of those women have experienced sexual assault or rape while serving in the military or working at sea. We're in contact with women who work on cruise liners and super yachts. Over the past few years more women have come forward about seven referrals a week. Seven people a week are saying they have been sexually abused or raped.

"I provide them with therapy. I have a team of therapists. They have a self assessment and they access the care model. It goes all the way up to complex trauma. We also have solicitors who take on civil cases.

"It makes me feel proud that we have a service that people are comfortable in and that we are doing something right. We're providing a service that women need. I'm saddened and disappointed that people are still being sexually assaulted in the military and, although the military are trying to do things to stop it, they are not going far enough."