Report on the review into the treatment of women at the Australian Defence Force Academy

This report examines the adequacy and appropriateness of measures to promote gender equality and to ensure women’s safety in the Australian Defence Force Academy. The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is conducting a Review, firstly of the treatment of women at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) (phase one) and, secondly, reviewing the effectiveness of cultural change strategies and initiatives required to improve leadership pathways for women in the Australian Defence Force (phase two). The Review is being led by Commissioner Broderick who chairs the expert Review Panel. The Terms of Reference were developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission after consultation with the ADF. The Terms of Reference requested the Review Panel, led by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, to review, report and make recommendations on: a) the treatment of women at the Australian Defence Force Academy with a particular focus on the adequacy and appropriateness of measures to: promote gender equality, ensure women’s safety, and to address and prevent sexual harassment and abuse, and sex discrimination b) initiatives required to drive cultural change in the treatment of women at the Australian Defence Force Academy, including the adequacy and effectiveness of existing initiatives and of approaches to training, education, mentoring and development c) the effectiveness of the cultural change strategies recommended by the Chief of the Defence Force Women’s Reference Group in the Women’s Action Plan including the implementation of these strategies across the Australian Defence Force d) measures and initiatives required to improve the pathways for increased representation of women into the senior ranks and leadership of the Australian Defence Force e) any other matters the Panel considers appropriate that are incidental to the above terms of reference. Additionally, 12 months after the release of the Panel’s report (the Report), the Terms of Reference require a further independent Report to be prepared which: • audits the implementation of the recommendations in the Panel’s Report by the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Australian Defence Force more broadly • makes any further recommendations necessary to advance the treatment of women at the Australian Defence Force Academy and in the Australian Defence Force