British soldiers have bravery tested by unprotected sex initiation in Kenya

Young soldiers are being forced to have unprotected sex with prostitutes

Young British Army squaddies on exercise in Kenya have been put through initiation ceremonies that see them being forced to have unprotected sex with prostitutes.

“It’s part of the initiation ceremonies,” one soldier told the Mail on Sunday, “The more senior soldiers would flip a coin – heads you could use a condom, tails you could not.”

Prostitutes are known to hang around outside their base in Nanyuki – and the soldiers can even get the services of prostitutes when they go for a haircut.

About 10,000 British soldiers go to Kenya each year

“When [his] haircut was complete, he was ushered towards a back room and shown a number of female sex workers. The barber then asked if he would like any 'extra services’,” referring to the testimony of a senior officer, as reported by BMJ Military Health.

The claims, reported by the Mail on Sunday, have alarmed defense chiefs because of the high rates of HIV and Aids in Kenya, where the initiation ceremonies are said to take place. It’s thought that about one in 20 people in the country is affected.

The Ministry of Defense says paying for prostitutes isn't allowed

The report, written by the Defense Medical Services, said the risk of soldiers catching STDs from prostitutes risks the effectiveness of the Army as well as being a “global reputational risk”.

“A global reputational risk,” the report stated, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

A Ministry of Defense spokesperson emphasized, “All sexual activity which involves the abuse of power, including buying sex whether in the UK or abroad, is prohibited. We are committed to preventing sexual exploitation in any form.”