On Friday, members of Australia’s defense forces filed a class-action lawsuit alleging widespread and systematic sexual abuse, harassment, and discrimination.
The Australian government received a case involving abused women who could have been victims of abuse any time during the 21-year period November 2003 to May 2025.
The threat of sexual violence at work is frequently the biggest safety concern for female ADF personnel, according to attorney Josh Aylward of the law firm JGA Saddler.
The reports of sexual assault, harassment, victimization, rape, and physical threats, according to a statement from he said, “but even more disturbing are the brutal assaults against those women who dare file a complaint,” he added.
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All women serving during that time are enrolled in the case, which is being filed at the Federal Court in Sydney, unless they declare that they have not experienced the alleged abuse.
According to the company, the class action was expected to involve a large number of women.
The complaint was made known, according to the Australian Department of Defense.
A department spokesperson said that “everyone in the Defence industry has a right to be respected and deserves a positive workplace experience.”
The spokesperson continued, “There is no place in the Defence for sexual violence or misconduct.”
Defense acknowledges that work needs to be done.
“Desire for action”
Following an investigation into veteran suicide and defense, the government announced that it would implement “as a priority” recommendations relating to sexual violence in 2024.
A “comprehensive sexual misconduct prevention strategy” was also being developed.
One of the four lead applicants in the case claimed that after attending an on-base party, she allegedly awoke naked, hurt, covered in bruises, and had scratches after being informed that she had left with four service members.
According to a statement from JGA Saddler, she was sexually assaulted in a storage room.
The woman’s movements were restricted while the alleged perpetrator was free, according to the complaint.
She allegedly received abusive messages from service members, was later posted to a different base, and was also prohibited from using shared base amenities.
The defense force is “vicariously liable” for failing to protect women from sexual harassment while serving, according to the class action.
According to the legal team, repeated reports into sexual harassment, followed by commitments to cultural reform, “never” led to significant change.
Source: Channels TV
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