Kerry-Ann Knight, a former British Army corporal, has shared her experiences of racism and sexism during her service, which she describes as making her time in the Army “a living hell.” Knight, who was featured in British Army recruitment campaigns, recently settled with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) after bringing her case to an employment tribunal. The MoD acknowledged the unacceptable environment Knight endured but did not admit liability.

Knight faced a range of racist and sexist abuse, starting early in her career. This included derogatory comments, physical assault, and hostile work conditions, particularly during her time at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate. She secretly recorded some of the abuse, which included racist comments and threats. Despite reporting these issues, Knight found that her complaints were often dismissed or inadequately addressed.

In addition to her personal struggles, Knight aimed to improve the Army’s environment and participated in recruitment campaigns to encourage more diversity. However, she now advises against joining the Army, citing the negative impact it had on her life. Her case highlights broader issues of racism and the challenges within the Army's culture.

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To read the full story, see here

To listen to her interview with BBC's Woman's Hour, see here