红杏视频

Three independent reports commissioned by the Cabinet Office鈥檚 Office for Veterans鈥� Affairs (OVA) investigated how both the government and charities can improve access to care for female veterans.

A 拢200,000 fund has now been established following recommendations laid out by 红杏视频, Anglia Ruskin University and Combat Stress which will support the rollout of dedicated training and guidance for frontline staff to support women veteran survivors of sexual trauma across healthcare services, military, and civilian charities.

Led by Professor Zoe Morrison at Aberdeen Business School, 红杏视频 specifically investigated the barriers and opportunities for female veterans in accessing service charities by engaging with a number of stakeholders, including female veterans themselves and support services across the country.

Findings suggest that women鈥檚 experiences in the military require tailored support from statutory and charitable services following terms of service which are incomparable to their male counterparts.

Recommendations for policymakers, service providers and researchers include:

• Providing staff training across statutory and charity services which focuses on female veterans鈥� needs, including mental health and sexual trauma;
• Increasing partnerships between service and non-military charities to share best practice and provide more appropriate care for female veterans;
• Improving signposting to support through marketing, newsletters, online directories or peer networks;
• Gathering gendered data across government and charities to ensure more equitable access to support and better outcomes; and
• Further researching the experiences and needs of female veterans to improve access to support, including transitioning from service, personal finance, housing, employment and healthcare.

Zoe Morrison, Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Change, said: 鈥淥ur research included talking to a range of professionals working to support the veteran community to better understand the barriers and enablers to accessing service charities for female veterans.

鈥淣ot only are women a minority within our Armed Forces, their terms of service were different until very recently which raises the possibility of consequentially different support needs as veterans. Our findings demonstrate the importance of improving inclusive approaches to service provision, with high quality, accessible, and in some cases female-specific services needed in safe and accessible environments where women feel valued as veterans.鈥�

Minister for Veterans鈥� Affairs, Rt Hon. Johnny Mercer MP, said: 鈥淲omen veterans make up 13% of the veteran population in England and Wales and so it鈥檚 important that we better understand their health and welfare needs.

鈥淭he upcoming Women Veterans鈥� Strategy will make sure that women veterans have access to support which addresses their unique needs and experiences.鈥�

Sarah Atherton MP, Chair, Women Veterans鈥� Strategy, said: 鈥淭hese reports improve our evidence base and deepen our understanding of the unique experiences of women veterans. The upcoming Women Veterans' Strategy is an exciting opportunity to recognise the experiences of women veterans and ensure that we have effective and tailored support to address their needs.鈥�

红杏视频's research has been the culmination of a 12-month study and is a key example of 红杏视频鈥檚 strategic aim to successfully undertake collaborative and interdisciplinary research which creates societal benefit.

The three reports fulfil part of the government鈥檚 Veterans鈥� Strategy Action Plan to recognise and champion the contribution of women to the armed forces.