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Australian Defence Force making 'good progress' on treatment of women Australian Defence Force making 'good progress' on treatment of women
(2 months later)
The Australian Human Rights Commission's audit of the Australian Defence Force and the Australian Defence Force Academy has found they are making "good progress" on the treatment of women within their organisations but said there was an urgent need to implement a sexual ethics program.The Australian Human Rights Commission's audit of the Australian Defence Force and the Australian Defence Force Academy has found they are making "good progress" on the treatment of women within their organisations but said there was an urgent need to implement a sexual ethics program.
The sex discrimination commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, highlighted the need for the education program following the latest incident of sexual harassment and misconduct within the ADF.The sex discrimination commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, highlighted the need for the education program following the latest incident of sexual harassment and misconduct within the ADF.
"The recent events involving a number of midshipmen and officer cadets allegedly participating in sexual initiation rituals underscores the urgency of implementing an appropriate sexual ethics education program, as envisaged by the review's recommendation," says Broderick in her report."The recent events involving a number of midshipmen and officer cadets allegedly participating in sexual initiation rituals underscores the urgency of implementing an appropriate sexual ethics education program, as envisaged by the review's recommendation," says Broderick in her report.
"The design of the 2013 sexual ethics program looks promising, but as at March 2013 the audit has not been provided with any course materials to assess.""The design of the 2013 sexual ethics program looks promising, but as at March 2013 the audit has not been provided with any course materials to assess."
The chief of defence force, General David Hurley, said the ADF had had a "false start" with the implementation of the sexual ethics program, but that the ADF and Adfa were now "in a much more comfortable position" to offer it.The chief of defence force, General David Hurley, said the ADF had had a "false start" with the implementation of the sexual ethics program, but that the ADF and Adfa were now "in a much more comfortable position" to offer it.
The defence minister, Stephen Smith, also announced that the government was proposing an ongoing role for the sex discrimination commissioner in monitoring implementation of the defence Pathways to Change strategy of cultural change.The defence minister, Stephen Smith, also announced that the government was proposing an ongoing role for the sex discrimination commissioner in monitoring implementation of the defence Pathways to Change strategy of cultural change.
Smith, Hurley and Broderick revealed the findings of the Review into the Treatment of Women at Adfa on Tuesday.Smith, Hurley and Broderick revealed the findings of the Review into the Treatment of Women at Adfa on Tuesday.
They also announced the establishment of a Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Office (SeMPRO) to offer victim support, which was a key recommendation of Broderick's 2011 report.They also announced the establishment of a Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Office (SeMPRO) to offer victim support, which was a key recommendation of Broderick's 2011 report.
SeMPRO will provide confidential support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for victims of sexual assault, and advise commanders and managers how to handle reported incidents effectively.SeMPRO will provide confidential support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for victims of sexual assault, and advise commanders and managers how to handle reported incidents effectively.
Confidential reports can be made online, over the phone or by text.Confidential reports can be made online, over the phone or by text.
The audit found an increase in the number of complaints made in 2012 and 2013. While this was seen as a suggestion of a "safer reporting environment", the audit noted there was still a stigma attached to making complaints under the current system.The audit found an increase in the number of complaints made in 2012 and 2013. While this was seen as a suggestion of a "safer reporting environment", the audit noted there was still a stigma attached to making complaints under the current system.
On Tuesday, Smith said the audit found "good progress has been made but more needs to be done" by the ADF in implementing the 30 recommendations it agreed to over 12 months ago.On Tuesday, Smith said the audit found "good progress has been made but more needs to be done" by the ADF in implementing the 30 recommendations it agreed to over 12 months ago.
One noted improvement had been made in implementing a Residential Support Officers (RSO) program to supervise undergraduates.One noted improvement had been made in implementing a Residential Support Officers (RSO) program to supervise undergraduates.
Broderick said it was positive to note that the events allegedly involving the midshipmen and cadets "came to light because of reports made to Adfa's senior leadership team by the RSOs. Although only in place for a short time, the RSO role is proving to be effective and valuable – both for the cadets and the staff."Broderick said it was positive to note that the events allegedly involving the midshipmen and cadets "came to light because of reports made to Adfa's senior leadership team by the RSOs. Although only in place for a short time, the RSO role is proving to be effective and valuable – both for the cadets and the staff."
In June it was revealed a number of cadets and officers were involved in a ring of ADF members who called themselves "the Jedi Council" and distributed among the network graphic photographs and videos of women with whom some had had sex. The women were unaware they were being filmed. Eight ADF members have so far been suspended.In June it was revealed a number of cadets and officers were involved in a ring of ADF members who called themselves "the Jedi Council" and distributed among the network graphic photographs and videos of women with whom some had had sex. The women were unaware they were being filmed. Eight ADF members have so far been suspended.
The report on the treatment of women at Adfa was requested after the 2011 Skype scandal in which three male cadets allegedly secretly filmed one of them having sex with a female cadet and distributed the images.The report on the treatment of women at Adfa was requested after the 2011 Skype scandal in which three male cadets allegedly secretly filmed one of them having sex with a female cadet and distributed the images.
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