Four Australian servicewomen have spearheaded a groundbreaking class-action lawsuit against the Australian Defence Force (ADF), citing allegations of sexual abuse, harassment, and discrimination. Their legal team anticipates that thousands of other women who have served in the military could join this historic case, which was formally filed in the Federal Court.
The women, who have chosen to remain anonymous for legal reasons, have brought forward serious claims. These include accusations of being physically assaulted and groped by colleagues, as well as experiencing unsettling incidents like waking up naked and injured after parties attended by male officers.
In response, an ADF spokesperson acknowledged the need for improvement, stating that the organization is actively developing a new strategy to prevent sexual misconduct. The spokesperson emphasized that there is “no place for sexual violence” within the army.
The lawsuit is open to any woman who served in the ADF between November 12, 2003, and May 25, 2025, and was initiated by the law firm JGA Saddler. One of the primary plaintiffs, who served in the air force, described a hostile work environment with frequent sexist remarks, inappropriate conversations, and exposure to unsolicited pornography, despite being one of only two women in a facility housing approximately 200 people. She also reported hearing her sergeant comment that women should earn less than men because they are not as strong.
Another lead applicant, a former navy member, detailed experiencing persistent lewd comments and unwanted physical contact during her training. She also recounted an incident abroad where a colleague forcibly grabbed and kissed her, resisting her attempts to break free.
These allegations surface in the wake of a critical report released last year concerning the high rates of suicide among Australian veterans. That report highlighted around 800 reports of sexual assault within the ADF between 2019 and 2024, estimating that the actual number could be 60% higher due to underreporting. The report also stressed that sexual assault is just one facet of the broader issue of sexual misconduct prevalent in the forces.
Lawyer Josh Aylward from JGA Saddler commented on the gravity of the situation, noting, “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. They have signed up to defend their country, not to fight off fellow ADF personnel on a daily basis, all while simply trying to do their job.”
The ADF spokesperson affirmed that “all defence personnel have a right to be respected and deserve to have a positive workplace experience in the ADF,” acknowledging that there is still “work to be done” to achieve this.