Anne and Jane, now in their 50s, say a staff member connected with their school singled them out when they were 10 years old and sexually abused them, often in his office with the door locked. They say he coerced them into silence, warning that their fathers would lose their army jobs if they told anyone.
For decades they only discussed the alleged abuse with each other. Five years ago, after learning the man was still alive, Anne decided to report it, hoping she and Jane would finally see justice. They describe lasting trauma: Jane says she has never been able to maintain a loving relationship, while Anne speaks of a "spiral of self-destruction" and intrusive memories triggered by childhood smells.
However, a joint investigation found that prosecution is impossible. The man was a British citizen employed by the British army, but because his employment contract is missing and there is no proof he paid UK tax, police cannot establish whether he was on a Ministry of Defence (MoD) London contract or a locally employed contract. Nato rules allow countries with forces abroad to apply their laws to military and civilian employees under their jurisdiction, but the gaps in records mean the man falls outside that coverage.
The women say the MoD refuses to take responsibility for abuse they allege occurred while they were under its care. Their account details how the alleged abuser exploited their isolation and vulnerability as children of military families who moved frequently.