The Commonwealth Ombudsman has released two reports relating to abuse in the Defence Force.
In his role as Defence Force Ombudsman, the Ombudsman, Michael Manthorpe, released Defence’s Policies for Receiving and Responding to Reports of Abuse and Overview of the Defence Abuse Reporting Function by the Defence Force Ombudsman.
Mr Manthorpe said the first report examined current Defence policies and procedures for the reporting and management of abuse.
“For the most part, I am satisfied that Defence now has appropriate written policies and procedures in place for Defence personnel to report abuse, and for those who receive reports of abuse to know what is required of them,” Mr Manthorpe said.
“However I have made six recommendations in relation to the consistency and coherence of policies and procedures to assist in continuous improvement in this area.”
He said the second report provided detailed information about how the Ombudsman’s Office had administered its Defence abuse reporting functions.
“This report highlights that the Office continues to receive reports of serious physical or sexual abuse in the Defence Force,” Mr Manthorpe said.
“Most of the reports pertain to historic abuse, and the evidence drawn from the reports does not suggest that there are now systemic or highly concentrated locations of abuse in the way in which this was manifest in earlier decades.”
He said that nevertheless, the report reinforced the importance of Defence maintaining vigilance in this area.
“The second report also contains statistical information about the reports of abuse, and the steps that have been taken by the Ombudsman’s Office and Defence to respond to these,” Mr Manthorpe said.
“I am pleased that my Office has been able to assist some hundreds of Defence abuse survivors to have their voices heard, and receive financial or other acknowledgement for their experiences.”
Both reports can be accessed on the Ombudsman’s website at this PS News link.
