#australia Defence Forces sexual abuse, bastardisation – “Inquiry just the first step in reforming defence” @SenatorLudlam
Inquiry just the first step in reforming defence
Media release: Australian Greens Defence spokesperson Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam. June 15th, 2012
A law firm’s report indicating almost 900 people have made plausible allegations of abuse within the Australian Defence Force demands an urgent and comprehensive response, the Australian Greens said today.
The Greens acting defence spokesperson Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said a top-level inquiry was needed to come to grips with the full extent of the culture of abuse and silence that has allegedly plagued the ADF for decades.
“This report alleges a long and disturbing history of abuse and cover-ups. A Royal Commission is needed to establish what happened, why it was able to happen, and what must be done to ensure it never happens again,” said Senator Ludlam.
“This report claims ‘many young males and females have been subjected to serious sexual and physical assault and other serious abuse while they were in the ADF from the 1950s at least into the 21st century’. Determining the facts and compensating the victims is important but it can’t end there. We must make the changes necessary to protect the young people who join the defence forces from this kind of horrendous treatment.”
Media contact: Giovanni Torre – 0417 174 302
June 15, 2012
tony serve
