New analysis reveals that sexual assault reports in the Australian Defence Force have surged, with 265 incidents recorded in 2016/2017, up from 252 in 2015/2016 and 261 in 2014/2015. Despite repeated declarations of zero tolerance over the past two decades, rates remain steady or increase, suggesting that only a small proportion of victims report.
Researchers who studied 30 years of media coverage found that military sexual violence is often justified through the phrase 'boys will be boys', framing assault as an inevitable result of young soldiers' uncontrollable natures. This narrative, along with beliefs that the military is exceptional and cannot be held to civilian standards, perpetuates a toxic culture.
Scandals continue to surface, including a 2017 Facebook group where ADF personnel joked about rape and child sexual assault, and a 2018 case where an Army officer's lawyer described a rape as 'tomfoolery gone wrong'. A recent Duntroon cadet rape trial ended with a hung jury.
The US military faces similar issues, with a Pentagon report showing a 38% increase in sexual assaults against women. Both countries struggle to address persistent violence despite internal reviews and dedicated units for victims.
