Women sue govt over sexual abuse in Australian military

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Women in Australia’s defence forces launched a class action lawsuit on Friday alleging widespread and systematic sexual violence, harassment and discrimination.

The case was served against the Australian government on behalf of women subjected to abuse at any time in a 21-year period between November 2003 and May 2025.

“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,” said lawyer Josh Aylward of legal firm JGA Saddler.

“Australians will be shocked by the reports of sexual violence and harassment, victimisation, rape and physical threats but even more disturbing are the brutal assaults against those women who dare make a complaint,” he said in a statement. Punch