October 11th 2024.
Brooke had always dreamed of leaving her small town and making a difference by serving in the Royal Australian Navy. But her dream quickly turned into a nightmare when she was raped by a male colleague at the young age of 20. Unfortunately, this was not the first time that Brooke had experienced sexual violence while serving in the Australian Defence Force, and it would not be the last.
Feeling overwhelmed and alone, Brooke decided to speak out about her experience, not just for herself but for other women who may have also been victims of sexual violence in the military. As she bravely shared her story with 9news.com.au, she feared that she was not the only one who had gone through such a traumatic ordeal. And she was right.
The issue of sexual violence in the ADF was a recurring theme in the submissions from female service members and veterans for the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicides. Shockingly, the data collected by Defence showed that over 80% of victims were female and over 90% of alleged perpetrators were male. This was a clear indication that something needed to be done to prevent sexual violence and improve workplace protections and support for victims.
In its final report, the Royal Commission made 122 recommendations, including a call for an external, independent, expert inquiry into sexual violence in the ADF. This was seen as a crucial step in holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring that victims received the support they needed. A spokesperson for Defence acknowledged the need for significant reform and stated that they were working closely with the government to consider the recommendations.
However, despite the efforts being made, Brooke and other female veterans were not confident that real change would happen. She shared her concerns, stating that she had little faith in the implementation of change. Her fears were not unfounded, as she was not the only one who had lost faith in the system.
Brooke's journey in the ADF started with high hopes of a better future, but instead, she faced constant harassment, bullying, and even rape. It all started when someone repeatedly tried to break into her residence late at night during her first posting. When she reported this, it was dismissed as her being young and naive. But things only got worse from there.
The following year, Brooke was raped by a male service member at a party where recreational drugs were being used. Feeling pressured and afraid, she did not report the incident for fear of being blamed or dismissed. Sadly, this was not an isolated incident, as she faced ongoing sexual harassment from male colleagues, including comments, groping, and even exposing themselves to her.
When Brooke tried to report these incidents to her superiors, she was met with hostility and branded a troublemaker. She was even passed over for promotion, leading her to believe that speaking up was not worth the consequences. This toxic culture of silence and victim-blaming only worsened her mental health, and she even attempted suicide multiple times.
Despite seeking support through the ADF, Brooke felt unable to open up about the sexual violence she had experienced due to the culture and years of victim-blaming. This ultimately led to her being admitted to a hospital on suicide watch. She voluntarily discharged a few months later, feeling that the ADF did not acknowledge the severity of her situation.
Even after discharging, Brooke struggled to access professional support through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The process was confusing, and the wait times were ridiculously long. This only added to her deteriorating mental health, and she made multiple suicide attempts over the next two years.
It took years for Brooke to receive the proper support for her mental and physical health issues, which included panic disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD. Sadly, her story is not unique, as many other female veterans have also faced similar experiences and struggled to receive the support they needed.
But despite her traumatic experiences, Brooke continues to fight for change within the ADF. She was one of the many women who shared their stories with the Royal Commission, hoping to spark change and protect future service women from sexual violence. And she fully supports the Commission's call for an external, independent, expert inquiry.
As a mother, Brooke wants to see a safe and supportive environment for future generations who may consider joining the ADF. She believes that it is crucial to break the culture of silence around sexual misconduct and hold perpetrators accountable. And she hopes that the Royal Commission's recommendations will be taken seriously and implemented to bring about real change.
*Name changed. If you or someone you know needs support, you can contact Lifeline, Beyond Blue, or the Suicide Call Back Service. If you are a current or former ADF member, or a relative, you can also reach out to the Defence All-Hours Support Line or Open Arms for counselling and support.
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