Class action filed over rates of sexual violence in ADF
In an unprecedented legal step against the Commonwealth, women who allege they experienced widespread and systemic sexual abuse, harassment, discrimination and victimization while working in the Australian Defense Force (ADF) are joining a class action lawsuit.
There are four applicants in the class action, whose names are being withheld for legal reasons, but any woman who was subjected to sexual violence, sexual harassment or discrimination while working in the ADF between 12 November 2003 and 25 May 2025 is eligible to participate.
The first applicant, from the air force, was the only woman on the training course among eight to 12 men and one of only two women in a building of about 200 people.
She alleges that comments her sergeant made during her training included “women shouldn’t be paid as much as men because they’re not as strong” and “women aren’t doing their part in the air force.”
She also alleges that she was shown unsolicited porn photos, along with numerous sexist and hostile comments, as well as numerous inappropriate conversations.
The second applicant enlisted in the navy and claimed that while she was training she was subjected to sexually explicit comments on a daily basis and that male colleagues casually touched her uniform in a way that made her feel uncomfortable.
Later in his career, while on assignment abroad, he claimed that he was grabbed and kissed by a colleague who forcibly resisted attempts to separate him.
Another air force member, Gemma, who was not one of the four applicants, claims she was regularly subjected to harassment, misogyny and sexism.
He was forced to work with a colleague against whom he had made a complaint while the military investigation was carried out, but was eventually told there was insufficient evidence to launch an investigation.
His mental health deteriorated and the experience also affected his career.
“(ADF) is protecting its reputation, not its people,” Gemma said.
“Change needs to happen to make it safer for victims to speak out. There needs to be more informed support for victims… this is not a one-off, it’s still happening.”
The class action was brought by Australian law firm JGA Saddler, which is supported by global litigation funder Omni Bridgeway.
JGA Saddler lawyer Josh Aylward said the legal case was a demand for action, accountability and real change as sexual violence and discrimination continued to plague female ADF members.
“The biggest security fear for female ADF personnel is often not the threat of war, but the threat of sexual violence in the workplace,” he said.
“They signed up to defend their country, not just to fight with ADF personnel on a daily basis while trying to do their job.”
Mr Aylward said these were not historical incidents and some of the incidents had occurred within the last 12 months.
“The ADF has done too little to protect those who protect us,” he said.
The ADF has developed a comprehensive sexual misconduct prevention strategy, a Defense spokesman said in a statement.
“Defence recognizes there is work to be done and that is why the recommendations of the Royal Defense and Veterans Suicide Commission on sexual violence are being implemented as a priority,” the spokesman said.
“All Defense personnel have the right to be respected and deserve to have a positive workplace experience in the ADF.
“There is no place for sexual violence or abuse in defense.”
Defense Minister Richard Marles has been contacted for comment.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Resolution Support Service 1800 211 028
Lifeline 13 11 14
Open Arms 1800 011 046
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