New Efforts to Combat Sexual Violence in the Australian Defence Force
The Australian government has announced new initiatives to address the issue of sexual violence within the Australian Defence Force (ADF). These measures come in response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which found "extensive" evidence of sexual assaults within the military.
Publishing de-identified yearly data on the outcomes of sexual misconduct cases. This will provide greater transparency and accountability within the ADF.
Fostering a strong culture of reporting unacceptable behaviour. This will encourage victims to come forward and report incidents of sexual violence.
Enforcing a policy that would see ADF members discharged if they are convicted of sexual offences. This sends a clear message that sexual violence will not be tolerated within the ADF.
These measures have been welcomed by advocates and experts, who say they are long overdue. However, some have expressed concerns that more needs to be done to address the underlying culture of sexual violence within the ADF.
Concerns about Under-reporting and Implementation
Data from the ADF shows that there were close to 800 reports of sexual assault in the past five years. However, the Royal Commission report noted that this is likely just the tip of the iceberg, with a high rate of under-reporting.
Former air force officer Jordyn Gray, who now runs The Athena Project – a support group for personnel who have experienced sexual violence – said that action is "ridiculously overdue". She expressed concerns about the implementation of the new measures, stating that "there's a lot left to be desired."
Impact on Recruitment and Retention
The well-known culture of sexual violence within the ADF is likely contributing to recruitment and retention issues. Ms. Gray believes that this is a major factor preventing people from joining the ADF.
Government Response and Legislative Changes
The government has acknowledged that sexual misconduct and unacceptable behaviour have no place in the ADF and that the rates of sexual violence reported are "completely unacceptable".
The newly-accepted policy of mandatory discharge for ADF members convicted of sexual and related offences will require legislative changes. However, Nationals MP and Coalition spokesman for Veterans' Affairs Barnaby Joyce has indicated early support for these changes.
Conclusion
The new initiatives announced by the Australian government are a step in the right direction towards addressing the issue of sexual violence within the ADF. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that these measures are effectively implemented and that the underlying culture of sexual violence is changed.