Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick has found that the Australian Defence Force Academy has made significant progress in the way it treats women, but says there is still more work to do, particularly in the area of sexual ethics.
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Ms Broderick, who conducted a review into the treatment of women at ADFA in the wake of the so-called Skype incident, has conducted an audit of the implementation of her initial report, which in November 2011 found widespread, low-level sexual harassment, inadequate levels of supervision and a difficult complaints process.
Ms Broderick told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday that there had been substantial improvements since her initial review.
''There is clear evidence that ADFA is working to improve its culture and build a more inclusive organisation for all its members, including women,'' she said.
The Sex Discrimination Commissioner said a ''residential support officer program'' had been set up, which provided better support and supervision to first year midshipmen and cadets.
But she said that some areas still needed attention, including in the area of sexual ethics training.
''I strongly urge ADFA to engage with an expert in this field to develop and deliver a robust and targeted program of sexual ethics that enhances the cadets and midshipmens' understanding of respectful and healthy relationships and behaviour.''
Ms Broderick said she did not expect cultural change on the scale envisaged by her 31 recommendations to be fully achieved in the first 12 months, but said she expected ADFA to continue to make progress.
This comes as Defence Minister Stephen Smith launched a dedicated office that will deal with victims of sexual misconduct within the wider Australian Defence Force.
This stemmed from a second review Ms Broderick carried out in the wake of the Skype affair, into the treatment of women in the ADF more broadly.
In what Mr Smith called a ''deeply significant reform'', the Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Office will allow victims of sexual misconduct to make an allegation outside the chain of command.
''This is to ensure that every man and woman in the ADF can feel confident, comfortable and safe in making complaints of sexual misconduct,'' he said.
Defence Chief David Hurley said there were two main reasons behind the ADF's shift to a ''victim focused'' approach.
He said a significant number of incidents went unreported and he wanted a safe and confidential way for people to seek advice and support.
He also said he wanted victims to feel empowered and in control.
''Unlike our previous approach, the victim, not the system, will now decide if and when to report a matter for investigation,'' he said.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that a group of army members had allegedly formed an internet sex ring that Chief of Army Lieutenant General David Morrison described as ''worse than the Skype scandal''.
The so-called "Jedi Council" was an alleged ring of army members who exchanged explicit pictures and footage of women with whom some had had sex. So far, eight male army members have been suspended.
With David Wroe
