In short:
Former senator Natasha Stott Despoja has been appointed to lead an inquiry into sexual violence within the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
asserted
Despoja → appoint → Force
The inquiry was a key recommendation from The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which found the problem was "systemic" within the ADF.
asserted
problem → find → ADF
The inquiry is due to begin public hearings next year, and victim-survivors have been told non-disclosure agreements made with the ADF will not be enforced for the purposes of the inquiry.
asserted
agreements → begin → inquiry
Former senator Natasha Stott Despoja will lead a new inquiry into sexual violence within the Australian Defence Force (ADF), arguing her independence from the military provides a "fresh" perspective on the issue.
asserted
independence → lead → issue
The inquiry was a key recommendation of The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which found sexual misconduct was a "systemic issue" within the ADF.
asserted
misconduct → find → ADF
Ms Stott Despoja will lead a one-year inquiry looking at issues such as prevention and reporting of sexual violence in the military, and how the ADF is managing efforts to tackle the problem in the wake of the royal commission.
asserted
ADF → lead → commission
The former senator has pursued a career centred on issues such as social justice and gendered violence since leaving politics, including leading South Australia's Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.
asserted
senator → pursue → Violence
She does not have a military background, which she said was a key factor in her appointment.
asserted
she → have → appointment
"I understand from the minister and from the [Defence and Veterans' Services Commission] that it was a very purposeful, deliberate decision to have someone who was completely independent in relation to this specific, dedicated inquiry dealing with sexual violence," she said.
asserted
she → understand → violence
"I think the idea was to ensure that they felt that there was someone who would come to this independently and listen to their concerns, take on board the previous reports and the evidence base that's been provided and do so in a way that was very informed, trauma-informed and victim-centric.
asserted
that → think → way
But the final report noted that figure was in the context of an estimated 60 per cent under-reporting rate, meaning the true number of assaults was likely much higher.
asserted
number → note → assaults
It argued the ADF needed to implement "deep, systemic reform" to tackle the issue, including recommendations such as the mandatory discharge of any members convicted of sexual offences.
asserted
ADF → argue → offences
Ms Stott Despoja said there are specific issues the royal commission wanted this inquiry to address, including around the effectiveness of the military justice system and barriers to reporting sexual offences.
asserted
inquiry → say → offences
"This will be — I believe and hope — a once-in-a-generation opportunity for defence to make some changes," she said.
asserted
she → believe → changes
"And what do I want from that?
asserted
I → want → that
Meaningful change that leads to a workplace that should be equal, ethical, healthy and respectful.
asserted
that → lead → workplace
We respect our military.
asserted
We → respect → military
We know that men and women in uniform deserve to have a safe working environment, given the sacrifices and the challenges and the risks that they already have to face in the context of their job.
asserted
they → know → job
"They shouldn't be dealing with sexual violence as part of those risks and challenges."
asserted
They → deal → risks
Inquiry to hear from some previously silenced
Following pressure from legal groups and victim-survivors, the government recently agreed not to enforce non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for those giving evidence to the looming inquiry.
asserted
government → hear → inquiry
Some victim-survivors are bound by non-disclosure agreements or non-disparagement agreements as part of legal settlements agreed with Defence.
asserted
survivors → bind → Defence
There had been fears some of the worst-affected victim-survivors would be effectively barred from giving evidence to the inquiry by the legal orders.
asserted
some → affect → orders
Ms Stott Despoja said the agreement means some people can tell their stories for the first time.
asserted
people → say → time
"There'll be people who previously couldn't tell their stories because of the NDAs," she said.
asserted
she → tell → NDAs
"We don't know who those people are, but I'm hoping they will feel able to come forward in an environment that is sensitive, that will provide wellbeing and legal support, but I would like them to come forward if they feel they can to tell those stories that we haven't had the opportunity to hear."
asserted
we → know → opportunity
The inquiry is expected to start accepting written submissions later this year, and hold public hearings early next year.
asserted
inquiry → expect → hearings
It is due to report by the end of next year.
asserted
It → report → year
The Aporia