Sandhurst instructors had 19 affairs with cadets before one took her life, a shocking new report reveals as general top vows to ‘hold to account’ anyone who violates the military’s ‘norms and values’
- Report highlighted affairs with Sandhurst as a factor in the death of Olivia Perks, 21
- Olivia had a secret relationship with an Army gym teacher before committing suicide
- Army investigations found that many of the relationships involved older male instructors and female cadets under their supervision
Nineteen illicit sexual relations took place between Sandhurst instructors and cadets shortly before a trainee took her life, a damning official report has found.
It highlighted the number of affairs at the Royal Military Academy in Berkshire as a factor in the death of 21-year-old Olivia Perks.
She had a secret relationship with an army gym teacher in the months before her death. The intern was found dead in her room in February 2019 in the first case of a female Sandhurst cadet taking her life.
Of the 30 trainees in her platoon, five are said to be having affairs with senior colleagues. The remaining 14 relationships involved staff and cadets from other platoons.
Olivia Perks was found dead in her room in February 2019 in the first case of a female Sandhurst cadet taking her life
Intimate relationships between staff and trainees were strictly forbidden at Sandhurst (pictured) – but a 300-page report suggested instructors often broke the rules
An Army investigation found that many of the relationships involved older male instructors and female cadets under their supervision. Intimate relationships between staff and trainees were strictly forbidden at Sandhurst – but the 300-page report suggested that instructors often broke the rules.
It said: ‘This behavior undermined the chain of command and was completely unacceptable in a training establishment.
“Employees were willing to take the risk and break the rules and regulations. This risky behavior may have been misinterpreted by the officer cadets as an accepted norm and could explain why there was such involvement among personnel at the time.
“In 2018, 19 relationships were formed between staff and cadets. Other examples of inappropriate behavior included a color sergeant [instructor] bragging about sexual relations with an officer cadet on the night of their enlistment.
‘In the end there was a total misunderstanding of values and norms among those involved.
The study’s findings point to several contributing factors. The situation was exacerbated by the limited enforcement of the academy’s alcohol policy and a local culture of staff fraternization and inappropriate relationships with officer cadets in their charge.”
“I am determined to continue nurturing the culture needed to ensure that the Army remains a great institution,” General Sir Patrick Sanders (pictured, right) said yesterday
The report said there was also a lack of support for Miss Perks, who had been identified as a suicide risk. Commanders apparently did not take into account her vulnerability.
The investigation revealed that she spent time with another instructor two nights before her death.
The man was punished after Miss Perks left his room. She denied anything unusual had happened and felt guilty when he was expelled from the university and demoted.
Spending the night in his room also led to Miss Perks being humiliated the next morning.
Witnesses said instructors yelled at her when she returned to her accommodation, still in her ballgown from a formal event the night before. The embarrassing scene was witnessed by colleagues standing at attention in the parade square.
After the incident, Miss Perks was apparently convinced she was going to be fired from Sandhurst – which was not the case. The trainee, from Kingswinford, West Midlands, was just two weeks away from completing her 44-week course when she died.
A number of employees face disciplinary action over her death.
The study recommended 61 changes to welfare procedures at Sandhurst.
Events surrounding her death led Defense Secretary Ben Wallace to issue a harsh condemnation to the top, fearing a decline in standards of conduct.
Defense Secretary Ben Wallace issued a strong condemnation at the top over fears that standards of behavior were slipping
Last night, the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders, said: “I am determined to continue to nurture the culture that is necessary to ensure that the Army remains a great institution – an institution that is great to to be everyone and who maintains the trust, respect and affection of the nation we protect and serve.”
He emphasized: “Those whose behavior is found to be unacceptable or inconsistent with our values and standards, or those who willfully ignore or tolerate such behavior, will be held accountable.
“I would like to express my deepest condolences to Olivia’s family and friends and personally thank them for their steadfastness and support during this investigation.” There will be a full inquest into Miss Perks’ death next year.
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