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

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Chapter 10: Minimising Risk, Managing Incidents and Ensuring the Safety of the Workplace – Recommendations 22-31Implementation actionsADFA has updated and displayed posters in training and accommodation areas with contact details ofinternal and external emergency and support services. In addition, undergraduates have been providedwith wallet size cards containing the information contained in the posters. 49The Audit has been advised that a meeting was held at ADFA on 27 June 2012 ‘to develop partnershipsand identify collaboration opportunities with Canberra-based emergency and support agencies.’ 50In addition, according to documents provided to the Audit these agencies have agreed to meetannually. 51The establishment of the Sexual Offence Support Person (SOSP) Network is also relevant to thisRecommendation and is discussed in more detail under Recommendation 9. In addition, dialogue withSeMPRO should also inform strategies in this regard.Audit findingsADFA has undertaken steps to address both parts of the Recommendation. The Recommendation hasbeen largely implemented, however part b) requires some additional work.The actions undertaken demonstrate commitment to satisfy the intent of part a). The poster developedcontains contact details for the support agencies referred to in the Recommendation, in addition toother organisations. The information is provided in a clear way, with the organisation’s category, name,contact details and hours of availability displayed. The Audit trusts that ADFA will continue to use theseposters and cards in years to come and will regularly update and amend information as required.However, in the case of an emergency, such as where an undergraduate is under immediate threatin their accommodation, it was unclear to the Audit which number should be called (e.g. police/dutyofficer/other). When the Audit sought clarification the response was that this was ‘a very difficultquestion to answer’ and ‘it depends’. 52 The Audit is strongly of the view that there can be no confusionin an emergency situation and this must be clarified immediately.The Audit has been advised that the posters have been displayed:throughout the Academy, with the focus on key areas where Midshipmen and Officer Cadetscongregate. Specific areas covered are all accommodation blocks, the Cadets mess, Military andAdmin buildings, ADFA Indoor Sports Centre, Library and academic centres on campus. 53In addition to the physical display, an electronic copy of the poster will be displayed on the ADFAintranet. 54 The display of the information is complemented by the issue of cards to undergraduates.This will further increase the ease with which undergraduates will be able to access the contact details.However, undergraduates also need to be encouraged to access these services and any stigmaassociated with their use addressed.In response to part b), the Audit has been advised that partnerships with support agencies have beenestablished and that the agencies have agreed to meet annually. The Audit has been informed that:In addition to internal support, ADFA has formed working relationships with a wide range ofexternal emergency and support agencies (e.g. beyond blue, Lifeline, Canberra Rape CrisisCentre, Relations Australia, Services Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault, Women’sInformation and referral Service). 55124
This range of organisations provides a holistic response to undergraduate needs. While the Audit hasbeen advised that partnerships have been developed the Audit has been largely unable to clarify detailson the nature of these partnerships, what work is actually being done and what has been communicatedto undergraduates. 56The development of these partnerships and the agreement to meet annually are important mechanismsin providing a holistic response however ADFA should ensure that these partnerships are activelypursued. As the COMDT commented:It’s a bit of a work in progress, but it’s valuable and we learnt a lot from the liaison that we hadwith those people…It’s…in the formative stages now. We’re just starting to develop relationshipswith each of those. 57The Audit encourages ADFA to ensure these relationships continue to be developed for the benefit ofundergraduates.ConclusionADFA has made significant improvements to injury management. ADFA has commenced recordinginjury statistics differentiated by gender, type and cause of injury in a format which lends itself to regularanalysis. A number of substantial changes to physical training, remedial training and rehabilitationprograms have been implemented and undergraduates are aware of the improvements. ADFA shouldcontinue to address injury risks associated with female undergraduates and develop measures tocombat these risks.The stigma associated with injury is being addressed through the removal of physical signs of medicalrestrictions, education programs and improved rehabilitation. While this is a comprehensive approach,ADFA must continue to monitor and address this enduring stigma which is culturally based andcontinues to undermine women.Recommendation 31 has been largely implemented, however, part b) is still in the developmental stage.ADFA has updated and displayed posters in training and accommodation areas with contact detailsof internal and external emergency and support services. This information is supplemented with cardsprovided to undergraduates. Clarification of which number to call in the event of an emergency orimminent threat is required.ADFA has commenced developing relationships with key external service providers and has secured anagreement to meet annually. These partnerships do not appear to have been fully developed yet. 58 Thenature of these relationships is unclear and further action is required to ensure that these partnershipswill meet the support needs of female undergraduates.1 RIT, ‘Brief for Broderick Review Audit – Recommendation 30 and 31: Injury, Health and Wellbeing at ADFA – RFIs 77-87’,provided to the Audit by Dr N Miller, 17 January 2013.2 RIT, ‘Broderick Ph1 Review Implementation Progress Spreadsheet’, provided to the Audit by Dr N Miller, 28 September 2012;RIT, ‘Broderick Audit Summary Final 280912’, provided to the Audit by Dr N Miller, 28 September 2012; RIT, ‘Brief for BroderickReview Audit – Recommendation 30 and 31: Injury, Health and Wellbeing at ADFA – RFIs 77-87’, provided to the Audit byDr N Miller, 17 January 2013.3 RIT, ‘Broderick Ph1 Review Implementation Progress Spreadsheet’, provided to the Audit by Dr N Miller, 28 September 2012;RIT, ‘Broderick Audit Summary Final 280912’, provided to the Audit by Dr N Miller, 28 September 2012; RIT, ‘Brief for BroderickReview Audit – Recommendation 30 and 31: Injury, Health and Wellbeing at ADFA – RFIs 77-87’, provided to the Audit byDr N Miller, 17 January 2013; LTCOL B Kilpatrick email provided to the Audit by Dr N Miller, 20 February 2013.Audit Report: Review into the Treatment of Women at the Australian Defence Force Academy • 2013 • 125
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ContentsA Message from the Commissi
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A Message from the CommissionerADFA
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Chapter 1:Audit ApproachThe Report
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Chapter 1: Audit ApproachThe Audit
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Chapter 2: Summary of Audit Finding
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Chapter 3: MethodologyQuantitative
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