Women sue over sexual abuse in Australian military
Women who allegedly suffered widespread and systemic sexual abuse, harassment, discrimination and victimisation while serving in the Australian defence force are taking part in a class action against the commonwealth.
Sydney (dpa) - Several former and active female soldiers have filed a class action lawsuit alleging widespread sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination in the Australian armed forces.
The case has now officially been brought before the Federal Court in Sydney. The plaintiffs accuse the army, navy, and air force of systematic violence and cover-ups over decades. Observers are already calling it a “landmark lawsuit.”
It is being led by the law firm JGA Saddler in Brisbane, which expects thousands of affected women to join. It applies to all those who served in the Australian Defense Force (ADF) between November 2003 and May 2025, as reported by ABC.
Groping and kissing
The lawsuit is being led by four lead applicants from different branches of the Australian armed forces, whose names have not been released for legal reasons. Their stories include being forcibly pushed against a wall and groped and kissed while out in the evening, but also while on duty.
“These women find themselves in an unsafe work environment rife with sexual violence, sexual assault, and discrimination,” said law firm head Joshua Aylward. “The greatest security threat to female ADF personnel is often not war—it is the risk of sexual violence in the workplace.”
“We rape women like you”
One of the victims, who served in the navy for 13 years, reported that her superior had harassed her for months – until he finally threatened her and said: ‘We take women outside and rape women like you so that they obey the rules.’ Another victim, now chair of a victims' initiative, said: ‘It was as if the shame weighed heavily on you. Everything was kept secret. No one talked about it.’ She added that sexual assault affects almost every woman, regardless of age or rank.
If the lawsuit is successful, it could set a precedent – and bring belated satisfaction to many victims. The Australian Army said in a statement that it was aware of the lawsuit but had not yet received a writ of summons. ‘All members of the armed forces have a right to respect and deserve a positive working environment in the ADF. There is no place for sexual violence or misconduct in the ADF,’ a spokesperson said.