The family of Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck is speaking out following a tragic inquest that confirmed the 19-year-old took her own life after experiencing severe harassment and mishandling of her sexual assault complaint within the British Army.
Jaysley’s older sister, Emilli Beck, has strongly condemned the military institution, calling it an unsafe place for women and urging young women to reconsider joining.
A Promising Future Cut Short
Jaysley had always been determined to serve in the army, inspired by a career day at her school when she was just 16.
Despite her family’s initial reservations, she pursued her dream and enlisted, quickly proving herself to be a dedicated and promising soldier.
However, her journey took a devastating turn when she became the target of inappropriate behavior from senior officers.
Harassment and Mishandling of Complaints
The inquest revealed disturbing details about the harassment Jaysley endured.
She was subjected to unwanted advances and a distressing level of pressure from her line manager, Bombardier Ryan Mason, who bombarded her with thousands of messages in the months leading up to her death.
Additionally, Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber was found to have pinned her down and attempted to kiss her during an adventure training exercise.
Despite her formal complaint, Webber received only a minor sanction and was merely required to write an apology letter.
Assistant Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg determined that the army’s failure to properly address Jaysley’s complaint played a significant role in her death, stating that the situation should have been escalated to law enforcement for a criminal investigation.
A Sister’s Outrage
Emilli Beck has been vocal about the army’s failure to protect her sister, stating that her complaint was downplayed and ultimately swept under the rug.
“The army is not a safe place for women,” she declared. “They prioritized protecting their reputation over supporting Jaysley.”
Emilli and her parents attended every session of the inquest, keeping Jaysley’s memory close with two portraits of her placed on the desk beside them, along with her army-issued cap.
The family was devastated to learn that, in addition to the mishandling of the assault, army officials initially suggested that family issues could have contributed to Jaysley’s suicide—a claim Emilli found deeply insulting.
A Bond That Couldn’t Be Broken
Describing their close relationship, Emilli shared how inseparable she and Jaysley had always been. “She was my best friend, my rock,” she said.
“We did everything together, and there wasn’t a single day we didn’t talk.”
Jaysley’s tragic passing has left an irreplaceable void in Emilli’s life, but she is determined to keep her sister’s spirit alive by advocating for changes in the military.
Turning Grief into Purpose
In the wake of Jaysley’s death, Emilli relocated to Australia, inspired by her sister’s adventurous spirit. “Jaysley always encouraged me to travel,” she said.
“So after she passed, I decided to honor her by living the way she would have wanted me to.”
Now, despite the physical distance from her family, she continues to work alongside her mother to raise awareness about sexual harassment in the military and push for systemic change.
“We want to ensure that no other family goes through what we did,” Emilli stated.
“There needs to be an independent body handling these cases so victims are properly supported.”
Seeking Justice and Lasting Change
The Beck family remains committed to fighting for a safer military environment.
They hope that by sharing Jaysley’s story, they will encourage other victims to speak out and demand accountability. “Jaysley’s struggles will not be forgotten,” Emilli vowed.
“Her voice will continue to be heard through us.”
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