ADF ... IT'S THE CULTURE STUPID!

Last Sunday’s SMH-60 Minutes’ story by Nick McKenzie on the ADF’s treatment of our servicewomen reveals an appalling failure in leadership within the organisation and by its political masters.

Less than a year ago, the Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission released its scathing report showing an epidemic of sexual violence within the ADF and pointed to the cultural problems enabling and hiding it.

The 60 Mins’ piece, shows that, despite the avowed efforts by ADF leadership to make changes, things may be getting worse rather than better.

The patterns of behaviour that prioritise the rights of the perpetrators over the victims, that circle the wagons and pretend the problems don’t exist, are entrenched and unchanging.

The scale of the problem is shameful: 800 reports of sexual violence over five years (with experts claiming at least 60% of victims don’t make reports).

How long must we tolerate the grim-faced apologies and the fixation on protecting the institution at the expense of innocent victims’ lives and careers?

It’s time for our leaders to find the courage to act and to change the culture that spawns the violence.