Women in Australia’s defense forces filed a class action complaint on Friday, claiming widespread and systematic sexual violence, harassment, and discrimination.
The case was filed against the Australian government on behalf of women who were abused at any time over the 21-year period from November 2003 to May 2025.
“The threat of war often isn’t the biggest safety fear for female ADF personnel; it is the threat of sexual violence in their workplace,” said lawyer Josh Aylward of legal firm JGA Saddler.
“Australians will be shocked by the reports of sexual violence and harassment, victimization, rape, and physical threats, but even more disturbing are the brutal assaults against those women who dare make a complaint,” he said in a statement.
The action, filed in the Federal Court in Sydney, is being pursued on an opt-out basis, which means that any women serving at the period are included unless they certify that they did not suffer from the alleged abuse.
The lawyers estimated that thousands of women would join the class action.
The Australian Department of Defence stated it was aware of the complaint.
“All Defence personnel have a right to be respected and deserve to have a positive workplace experience,” a department spokesperson said.
“There is no place for sexual violence or misconduct in defense,” the spokesperson added.
“Defense acknowledges there is work to be done.”
The administration stated that it was implementing “as a priority” sexual violence recommendations issued in 2024 following an investigation into defense and veteran suicides.
It was also working on implementing a “comprehensive sexual misconduct prevention strategy.”
One of the case’s four lead applicants said she awoke after an on-base party naked, in pain, and covered in bruises and scratches, only to be told she had departed with four military members.
JGA Saddler stated that she received a sexual assault assessment in a storage room.
The woman’s movements were restricted as a result of her complaint, while the suspected perpetrator was free to go, according to the report.
She was also allegedly prevented from utilizing common base amenities, got hostile communications from military members, and was later transferred to another base.
The class action alleges that the defense force is “vicariously liable” for failing to safeguard women from sexual harassment while serving.
The legal company stated that repeated allegations of sexual harassment, followed by vows to cultural reform, had “never” resulted in real change.
“This legal case is a demand for action, for accountability, and for real change,” said Aylward.
