US EditionAustralian Servicewomen Launch Sex Abuse Lawsuit Against Military
- Filed in the Federal Court in Sydney this month, a class action accuses the Australian Defence Force of widespread sexual violence, led by Brisbane-based law firm JGA Saddler with four lead applicants and operating on an opt-out basis from November 12, 2003 to May 25, 2025.
- Years of reviews and inquiries have repeatedly flagged persistent sexual misconduct in Defence, with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and the 2022 ADF survey showing high prevalence and failed reforms.
- Court documents allege assaults including waking up naked and injured after parties, groping, forced kissing, rubbing with a colleague's `erect penis`, and hostile reprisals faced by the four lead applicants.
- JGA Saddler is seeking damages it says will compel the government and Defence to act, expecting thousands of women to join the suit as Defence develops a sexual misconduct prevention strategy with SSHD.
- After the Human Rights Commission complaint was terminated earlier this month, plaintiffs filed a class action within the 60-day window, with lawyers noting some incidents occurred within the past year.
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In Australia, female soldiers defend themselves against alleged widespread sexualized violence in the armed forces.
Malay Mail
AlKhaleej TodayWomen in Australian military file class action over sexual abuse, discrimination
SYDNEY, Oct 24 — Women in Australia’s defence forces launched a class action lawsuit Friday alleging widespread and systematic sexual violence, harassment and discrimination.The case was served against the Australian government on behalf of women subjected to abuse at any time in a 21-year period between November 2003 and May 2025.“The threat of war often isn’t the biggest safety fear for female ADF personnel, it is the threat of sexual violence…
Australia's military has been the subject of a class action lawsuit alleging abuse for over 20 years.
Four women from the Australian army have tried a collective process without prior opposition to the Australian Defence Forces, accusing of sexual abuse, harassment and discrimination. They say they have been physically assaulted, humiliated and treated with impunity...
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