Fresh allegations of sexual abuse at the Australian Defence Force Academy have again raised questions over Defence’s treatment of women, as the sex discrimination commissioner prepares to release her final investigation into defence culture.
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A 21-year-old international cadet was arrested by police yesterday, after he allegedly entered the room of a female officer and committed what are described as ‘‘acts of indecency’’.
Police have charged the cadet with two counts of acts of indecency, and he is due to appear before court tomorrow.
Defence issued a statement this morning, which said it was taking the matter seriously.
A spokeswoman said cadets had made senior ADFA leadership aware of the incident, and it was then referred onto police and the defence force investigative service.
''The safety and wellbeing of cadets at ADFA is our priority. We have offered full support to all parties involved in this matter.''
The fresh allegations add to a string of recent incidents at the Academy, all of which are still before courts.
It also comes as the Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick prepares to release the final phase of a comprehensive report into the treatment of women in the Australian Defence Force.
But Academy graduates have told The Canberra Times that the recent acts of indecency at the institution are the exception, rather than the rule, and do not reflect a changed culture at ADFA.
ADFA Graduates Association Chair Steve Rohan-Jones said the Academy had undergone a marked cultural change in recent times.
‘‘We know unfortunately, that there will always be incidents in society and military institutions,’’ Mr Rohan-Jones said.
‘‘The reality is, if there is something, what we should be judging is what the actions are that are taken by the cadets and the military hierarchy... to offset any damage and implement the right procedures,’’ he said.
University of New South Wales Professor Catharine Lumby, who worked with the NRL on gender issues, believes the current Defence leadership has shown a willingness to actively transform the culture within Defence over the long-term.
Professor Lumby said the fact that criminal charges have been laid, and the matter referred to police, shows Defence not tried to cover up the alleged incident.
‘‘The Defence Force under the leadership of General David Hurley are clearly looking at long-term change,’’ Professor Lumby said.
‘‘You don’t turn organisations around in a week or in a year, and you will never ensure that everyone behaves in line with the values or ethics,’’ she said.
‘‘What will matter though, is if the broader culture sends the message that these sorts of behaviours are unacceptable.’’
The first phase of the Sex Discrimination Commissioner’s report has been handed down, but the full report is expected to be released soon.
Previous ADFA sex scandals
The Academy has come under increased scrutiny over the past 12 months after a number of arrests for alleged sexual misconduct.
In April last year cadets Daniel McDonald, 19, and Dylan De Blaquiere, 18, were arrested and charged over the ‘‘Skype scandal’’ at the academy after they both allegedly streamed video of a sexual encounter between McDonald and a female cadet to a room of cadets next door. Both McDonald and De Blaquiere have pleaded not guilty and are currently awaiting trial.
In another incident an international officer cadet was arrested and charged after allegedly attempting to film a fellow student in the shower.
Pakistani national 21-year-old Obaid Fayyaz allegedly left his mobile phone in a shower vent in August last year. He is currently on trial in the ACT Magistrates Court.
The Skype incident sparked an inquiry into sexual harassment at the institution, and led to the head of the Academy being suspended. Commodore Bruce Kafer returned to work in March this year after being cleared by an official review over his handling of the incident
