Overview
- The case was filed in the Federal Court in Sydney on Friday and served on the Commonwealth, alleging systemic sexual violence, harassment and discrimination across the Australian Defence Force.
- The opt-out action covers women who served between November 12, 2003 and May 25, 2025, with the law firm expecting thousands of current and former personnel to be included.
- Four lead applicants detail assaults including groping, being pinned and forcibly kissed, and waking up injured after an on-base party, with some alleged incidents occurring within the past year.
- Plaintiffs assert the ADF and Commonwealth are vicariously liable for failing to protect women, and the lawsuit follows a 10‑month Human Rights Commission arbitration that did not resolve claims.
- Defence says it is aware of the complaint, is implementing recommendations from the 2024 royal commission and developing a sexual‑misconduct prevention strategy, after the inquiry recorded nearly 800 sexual‑assault allegations and flagged widespread underreporting.