A leaked internal review has identified ongoing failings within the United Kingdom's Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC), a unit created to independently investigate severe crimes including rape and sexual assault, raising concerns that the military risks failing victims.
The review, conducted between August and November 2025, concluded that the DSCC could be rated as "inadequate" if subjected to the same scrutiny as civilian police forces. This finding comes after the unit was established in 2022, following the death of 19-year-old Gunner Jaysley Beck. An inquest into her death found that the Army's mishandling of sexual assault and harassment complaints contributed to her suicide and revealed systemic issues within the military's handling of such cases.
The DSCC was intended to operate outside the military's chain of command to ensure independent investigations. However, the internal assessment, overseen by a former senior civilian police officer, suggests that current practices fall short of national policing standards. The report flagged that investigative processes are slow and overly bureaucratic.
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson stated that the review was commissioned to provide "honest challenge" and identify areas for improvement to uphold high standards for victims and witnesses. The MoD accepted the review's findings and reported that significant work has been undertaken since its conclusion.
These efforts include increased investment in victim and witness support, strengthened governance and safeguarding measures, and the accreditation of investigators to national policing standards. The MoD affirmed the DSCC's commitment to transparency, continuous improvement, and ensuring victims receive the support and service they deserve.
The concerns raised by the review underscore persistent challenges in the military's approach to serious crime investigations and victim care, despite reforms implemented after high-profile cases like Gunner Beck's.