An anti-conscription campaigner yesterday called on victims of sexual assault at Warwick Camp to speak out about their experiences — and bring their attackers to justice.

Larry Marshall Sr., of Bermudians Against the Draft (BAD), said he hoped yesterday's revelation by The Royal Gazette that 13 male Bermuda Regiment soldiers have made allegations of sexual assault or harassment in the last 20 years would be a "wake up call for the Island".

"To those who have been victimised sexually, please come forward now, even though it might be difficult," said Mr. Marshall. "By doing so, you not only help bring the culprits to justice but, more importantly, ensure that they will never hurt anyone like they hurt you.

"Parents of victims — please assist in the process, because I am sure you do not want other parents to suffer as you have."

An ongoing investigation by this newspaper has uncovered a series of claims made by young soldiers since 1989. As reported yesterday, we asked Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Brian Gonsalves for exact statistics on how many allegations have been made in the Regiment's 44-year history.

He said figures were not kept and the issue was not a problem, adding: "It's not something that the public needs to know."

Regiment public relations officer Major George Jones told this newspaper yesterday: "The Regiment takes any allegations — on any matter — submitted by serving soldiers very seriously, and when such allegations can be substantiated they are processed to the fullest extent possible under the Defence Act 1965 or Governor's Orders 1993.

"To our knowledge, we have not received any such allegations of the nature you have alleged since 2002."

Governor Sir Richard Gozney, the Regiment's commander-in-chief, would not say whether he thought the public should be given figures on sex assault or harassment allegations and outcomes. He also didn't respond to a question about whether any officers have ever been disciplined by a Governor in connection with such accusations.

The Governor said: "I am satisfied that the Regiment dealt properly with past allegations. I am likewise satisfied that any evidence of possible criminal activity would then have been, as it would now be, referred to the Police for investigation."

Shadow Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley said yesterday he hoped the Regiment would reconsider its decision to withhold the information from the public. "Up until now, you hear these rumours in the community but you don't hear any result of it and that's not good. That's not healthy."

Sen. Dunkley said he had full confidence that the CO took seriously such claims and would deal with them properly. The Opposition politician added that the Regiment should release figures on past allegations in the interests of "openness and transparency".

"I think once these things are dealt with, the outcome should be made public, because that will bring confidence in the organisation," he said. "That's highly important. I would hope that they would reconsider and that people can get some closure."

Mr. Marshall, whose organisation lost a bid to outlaw conscription in Bermuda's courts and is now going to the Privy Council in London, said he was disturbed by yesterday's revelation.

The BAD spokesman claimed sexual abuse was more prevalent in conscript armies than volunteer armies, as perpetrators "gravitate toward these types of organisations well aware that the credibility of their potential victims will almost always be called into question because of their reluctance to be there in the first place".

He said: "This type of environment provides the perfect cover for these despicable characters."

Mr. Marshall said the 13 allegations discovered by this newspaper "should be of grave concern to every right thinking Bermudian but especially to anyone who is conscripted at this point in time".

He added: "Hopefully, this will be a wake call for the Island, as we as a society can no longer sit idly by while our young men are subjected to such deplorable conditions, which are sanctioned by our current Government."

Acting Public Safety Minister Walter Roban did not respond to a request for comment.

• What do you think? We want to hear your views and any details you have about sexual abuse or harassment at Warwick Camp? Call reporter Sam Strangeways on 278-0155 or e-mail sstrangeways@royalgazette.bm. Any information you provide will be treated in confidence.