Sex harassment rife at ADFA: report

November 3rd, 2011

FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda

Updated

November 03, 2011 16:47:21

Photo:
The review was set up after a female cadet was secretly filmed having sex and the vision broadcast over the internet. (Australian Defence Force)

A report into the treatment of women at the Defence Force Academy has found that widespread low-level sexual harassment continues to exist.

The independent review, which was released on Thursday, was set up after a female cadet at the academy was secretly filmed having sex and the vision broadcast over the internet.

The so-called Skype scandal prompted six separate inquiries into behaviour at ADFA and the wider Defence Force.

Almost three-quarters of women have reported some type of sexual harassment during their time at ADFA in Canberra.

“Women disproportionately experience gender and sex-related harassment as well as general harassment and discrimination,” the report said.

“Qualitative and quantitative information also shows there have been isolated incidents of serious sexual misconduct in recent years including sexual assault.”

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick says for most women, most of the time, ADFA is a safe and rewarding place.

But she says there are many gender-related issues for the academy to address.

“[There is] widespread low-level sexual harassment, [and the] repeated and sustained telling of sexually explicit jokes is prevalent,” she said.

Addressing reporters in Sydney, Ms Broderick called for cultural change within the organisation.

She said there was a “warrior culture” within ADFA which made it difficult for women to survive.

“It’s about strength, fitness and all those things,” she said.

“The research suggests that in those circumstances it will be more difficult for women.

“A lot of public submissions [found that] surviving there is probably more difficult for women than for men.”

The commissioner also raised concern about mixed-gender accommodation and bathrooms with limited supervision.

She has recommended more supervision at accommodation blocks to deal with the high level of sexual harassment reported by women.

Other reviews

Defence Minister Stephen Smith says the review identified areas in ADFA’s culture that could be improved.

“I have asked the secretary of the department of Defence and the Chief of the Defence Force to determine the best way forward in formally adopting and implementing the review recommendations,” he said in a statement.

Mr Smith said implementation of phase one would be considered alongside recommendations from the five other reviews into the use of alcohol and social media, the personal conduct of Defence personnel, the management of incidents and complaints and women’s leadership pathways.

He said the issues canvassed in these reviews were complex and a comprehensive response was required.

“In line with the review into the treatment of women at ADFA’s terms of reference, 12 months after the release of this report an independent audit will report on the implementation of the recommendations and make any further recommendations necessary to advance the treatment of women at ADFA,” he said.

Mr Smith said phase two of Ms Broderick’s review, examining the treatment of women in the wider ADF, has started and is expected to be completed next year.

Topics:
sexual-offences,
law-crime-and-justice,
defence-forces,
defence-and-national-security,
canberra-2600,
australia

First posted

November 03, 2011 16:06:31

More
stories from Australian Capital Territory