A WOMEN’S organisation revealed concerns over the safety of new infantry recruits yesterday as Defence Secretary Michael Fallon announced close combat roles are to be open to women from 2016.

Charity Women Against Rape said that while the British public had been increasingly made aware of cases of sexual violence in society, military offences are still silenced.

The concerns were expressed after Mr Fallon proposed an end to the ban on women joining the frontline of battle in the British infantry and Armoured Corps.