Stacey Dooley: Death In The Barracks | Preview (BBC Three)

In December 2021, 19-year-old Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck was found dead in her barracks at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire after a Christmas party.

Her death was ruled a suicide, but it soon emerged that in the months before her death Jaysley had been sexually assaulted by a senior colleague and subjected to relentless harassment by her line manager, including sending her over 4600 Whatsapp messages. The coroner ruled that the Army’s handling of Jaysley’s complaint contributed to her death.

With unprecedented access to Jaysley’s family, friends and former Army colleagues, the film traces her journey from proud teenager excited to serve her country to a young woman struggling inside an institution that should have protected her.

Stacey follows Jaysley’s family through the legal process as they seek justice and accountability for what happened, and as they fight for changes to the way that the Armed Forces handle serious complaints.

At a moment when Britain is asking more young people to consider military service, the documentary confronts urgent questions about sexism, abuse of power and accountability within the Armed Forces.

The military acknowledge the problems and are bringing in measures to improve things, but, Stacey asks, has enough changed to prevent another tragedy like Jaysley’s death?

Stacey Dooley: Death In The Barracks airs Tuesday 27th October at 9pm on BBC Three.