Army has blood on its hands over Jaysley Beck death, sister says | British army

Army Failures led to Soldier’s Death, Sister Claims

the British Army has been accused of a systematic failure to protect soldiers from sexual assault and harassment following the death of 19-year-old soldier Jaysley Beck.Beck took her own life in December 2021 after alleging she was sexually assaulted by a superior officer and facing further harassment from another colleague. Her sister,Emilli Beck,says the army’s inadequate response to Jaysley’s initial complaint ultimately led to her death.

“They’ve got Blood on Their Hands”

Speaking to the media, Emilli described Jaysley as “fantastic” and “everything I aspired to be.” She expressed her profound grief and anger at the Army’s handling of her sister’s case.”They cover their own backs; they’ve got their own interests at heart,” Emilli said. “Jaysley’s complaint against Webber was manipulated as it went up the chain of command to make it sound less severe then the truth, and it makes me feel sick. It took Jaysley a lot of courage to speak up.”

“For that, they’ve got blood on their hands,” she added, claiming the alleged assault should have been reported to the police and that a different outcome might have been possible.

Systemic Flaws Highlighted in Inquest

The inquest into Jaysley’s death revealed serious flaws in the Army’s investigative procedures. Assistant Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg strongly criticized “systemic” issues within the Armed Forces, highlighting the lack of adequate support for victims of sexual assault and harassment. He found that Jaysley was reluctant to report her line manager’s inappropriate behavior as of the way her initial complaint was handled.

Furthermore, Capt James Hook, who organized the exercise during which the alleged assault occurred, expressed skepticism about Jaysley’s claims, suspecting she might have fabricated the entire incident.Emilli was critical of this attitude, stating, “If he had listened to Jaysley, we could have been in a completely different place than we are today.”

Calls for an Self-reliant Body

Emilli Beck is calling for an independent body to investigate sexual offenses within the Army, believing that current procedures are inadequate and fail to protect vulnerable individuals. She also emphasized the importance of creating a culture where victims feel safe and supported to come forward.

A sister’s Tribute

“We truly were best friends and always will be – just because she’s gone that doesn’t change anything,” Emilli shared,reflecting on her close bond with her younger sister.

Addressing the Issue

Jaysley Beck’s tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform within the Armed Forces to address the pervasive issue of sexual assault and harassment. Encouraging a culture of accountability, transparency, and support for victims is crucial to ensuring the safety and well-being of all service members.

What specific evidence does emilli Beck provide to support her claims that the Army manipulated Jaysley’s initial sexual assault complaint?

Army Failures Led to Soldier’s Death, Sister Claims: An Interview with Emilli Beck

Like “They’ve Got Blood on Their Hands”

Jaysley Beck’s sister, Emilli Beck, shares her heartfelt account of the events leading up to her younger sister’s tragic death adn the Army’s alleged lack of action in handling her sexual assault complaint. Emilli opens up about her sister’s struggle, her anger towards the Army, and her calls for reform.

Emily, could you tell us more about Jaysley? What was she like?

Emilli: “Jaysley was fantastic, she was everything I aspired to be. We were best friends, always there for each other. She was strong-willed, passionate, and had a radiant future ahead of her.”

You’ve accused the Army of having ‘blood on their hands.’ Can you elaborate on that?

Emilli: “Absolutely. The army failed Jaysley catastrophically. They manipulated her initial complaint, making it seem less severe than it was. She trusted them,she followed the chain of command,and they let her down. They prioritized their own interests over protecting Jaysley. For that, they share obligation in her death.”

lately, an inquest revealed systemic flaws in the Army’s investigative procedures. Did these issues impact Jaysley’s case?

Emilli: “Oh, absolutely. The lack of support, the skepticism from Capt. Hook – it all drove Jaysley to believe no one was there for her. If they had listened, believed her, and taken action, we might not be here today.”

You’re calling for an independent body to investigate sexual offenses within the Army. How would this help?

Emilli: “An independent body would ensure transparency and impartiality. Right now, the Army investigates itself. It’s like asking the fox to guard the henhouse. We need an unbiased third party to hold them accountable and protect victims.”

A Sister’s Tribute

“Jaysley and I were truly best friends. Her memory lives on in the love and laughter we shared. I’ll always cherish those moments.”

Addressing the Issue

“Jaysley’s tragic death is a wake-up call. The Army must create a culture were victims feel safe to come forward and are truly supported. we owe it to Jaysley and all the other brave individuals who serve our country to ensure their safety and well-being.”

Join Archyde in vowing to support change and encouraging an open dialog on this critical issue. Your comments and thoughts are welcome below.