Public views the armed forces as ‘victims’, research suggests

53 per cent of the British public thinks that service personnel are more likely to commit suicide, which the report claims is incorrect. Additionally, 54 per cent think that former members of the armed forces are more likely to end up in prison, when analysis from the Royal British Legion in 2014 concluded that they are actually less likely.

65 per cent of the public also believe that PTSD is more common among the armed forces than civilians. Across the whole armed forces levels are actually similar to the general public, although cases of PTSD are more common in combat troops and reservists.

Bobby Duffy, managing director of the Ipsos MORI Social Research Institute, said the research suggested “the public have a stronger image of the armed forces as ‘victims’ than is justified by the reality”.

He added: “The highlighting of the real instances of need among ex-armed forces personnel has been vital in getting a focus on support that has been badly needed.

“But it’s a difficult balance to get right, as too much emphasis could have implications for future recruitment, the life chances for armed forces as they return to the civilian world and the extent to which the public support or even “revere” the armed forces.”

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