Review into the treatment of women at the Australian Defence Force ...

Recommendation 23: ADFA review the training on makingcomplaints of unacceptable behaviour (including sexual harassmentand abuse and sex discrimination), with specific attention to creatingspecific modules tailored to different groups within ADFA – namelyfirst-year cadets, more senior cadets and staff – to reflect theirdifferent responsibilities in relation to complaint/incident reporting,response and management.Intent of RecommendationAn inability to effectively manage complaint processes acts as a potential barrier to reporting ofcomplaints or incidents of sexual harassment, abuse, assault or discrimination. Training on complaintpolicies and procedures should be tailored to the different roles, skills and level of responsibility ofdifferent groups within ADFA, including new undergraduates, more senior undergraduates, designatedcontact/complaint officers (equity and diversity) and the chain of command.Implementation actionsThe Audit has been informed that a review of training on making complaints of unacceptable behaviourhas been conducted. 20 The scope and content of this review has not been provided, but the Audit isaware that changes have been made to complaints training and management, as well as the complaintsmanagement process. 21ADFA has also reviewed and restructured the formal equity and diversity training provided toundergraduates, and much of this training now examines different aspects of the complaints process.Modules include:• Dispute Resolution Options – Self Resolution• Understanding the Equity Adviser Network• Understanding the Complaint Management Process. 22Equity and diversity training will be examined in more detail below.In September 2012, the COMDT circulated a directive that outlined reporting and managementexpectations for Commanding Officers/Unit Heads and all personnel. 23 It also instructed CommandingOfficers/Unit Heads to brief all personnel on their obligations under the directive.As will be discussed in Recommendations 27-29, ADFA has also updated its complaints reportingprocesses. There is now a centralised point for administering and facilitating Quick Assessments (QA)of all incidents, and all officers completing a QA are now provided with a small folder containing therelevant directives and guidance papers, as well as the materials required to complete the task.Audit Report: Review into the Treatment of Women at the Australian Defence Force Academy • 2013 • 97