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

Chapter 8: Midshipmen and Cadets are Young People and Future Leaders – Recommendations 16-18that the ADF and ADFA develop other means by which the intent of this Recommendation can beachieved.The Services initially dismissed the prospect of undertaking steps to explore different recruitmentoptions which recognise the different life courses of men and women however after consultation withthe Audit, the RIT is exploring further options.ADFA has undertaken substantial work in examining existing mentoring programs and developingoptions for a new mentoring program. However a new mentoring program has not yet beenimplemented and no timetable for implementation has been provided. The Audit suggests that furtherwork is required in this area to meet the intent of the Recommendation.The Audit congratulates ADFA on its comprehensive and holistic approach to addressing excessiveconsumption of alcohol. The pricing regime has been reviewed and prices have increased. ADFAhas also significantly increased the level of alcohol testing. A coordinator has been appointed andinformative, targeted presentations have been delivered on this topic for both staff and undergraduates.The Audit suggests that ADFA continue to examine and monitor the link between excessiveconsumption of alcohol and unacceptable behaviours and further develop its excellent work in thiscritical area.1 Australian Human Rights Commission, Report on the Review into the Treatment of Women at the Australian Defence ForceAcademy (2011), p 90. At http://www.humanrights.gov.au/defencereview/index.html (viewed 26 February 2013).2 Australian Human Rights Commission, Report on the Review into the Treatment of Women at the Australian Defence ForceAcademy (2011), p 89-90. At http://www.humanrights.gov.au/defencereview/index.html (viewed 26 February 2013).3 Australian Human Rights Commission, Report on the Review into the Treatment of Women at the Australian Defence ForceAcademy (2011), p 91. At http://www.humanrights.gov.au/defencereview/index.html (viewed 26 February 2013).4 Australian Bureau of Statistics, ‘Risk Taking by Young People’, Australian Social Trends, cat no 4120.0 (2008), www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Chapter5002008 (viewed 26 August 2011); J Norris, ‘The Relationship BetweenAlcohol Consumption and Sexual Victimization’ (2008) VAWnet: The National Online Resource Center on Violence AgainstWomen, pp 1-13. At www.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_AlcVictimization.pdf (viewed 26 August 2011); A Morganand A McAtamney, ‘Key Issues in alcohol-related violence’ (2009) 4 Research in Practice 1, pp 1-8. At Australian HumanRights Commission, Report on the Review into the Treatment of Women at the Australian Defence Force Academy (2011),p 92. At http://www.humanrights.gov.au/defencereview/index.html (viewed 26 February 2013). In addition, this research wasimportant given the empirical findings, namely that inexpensive prices of alcohol drinks coupled with undergraduates’ highdisposable income was cited by numerous consultation participants as a contributor to excessive alcohol use. The need toaddress this culture is of primary importance as it occurs at a formative period for undergraduates, at a time when drinkingbehaviours can become established.5 RIT, ‘ADFA Mentoring Brief’, provided to the Audit by Dr N Miller, 28 September 2012.6 Dr P Helson, ‘Australian Defence College, Review Implementation Team, Single Service Training and Work Placement FeasibilityStudy’, provided to the Audit by S Longbottom, 17 December 2012.7 Dr P Helson, ‘Australian Defence College, Review Implementation Team, Single Service Training and Work Placement FeasibilityStudy’, provided to the Audit by S Longbottom, 17 December 2012.8 To assist each Service with costing, a template was developed which included each of these core requirements. This templatewas then sent to the relevant representatives from each Service to be completed. Dr P Helson, ‘Australian Defence College,Review Implementation Team, Single Service Training and Work Placement Feasibility Study’, provided to the Audit byS Longbottom, 17 December 2012.9 Office of the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, ‘Minute, Action Emanating from Review into Treatment of Women at ADFA(‘Broderick Review’ Phase One) – Recommendation 16’, VCDF/OUT/2012/77, 18 March 2012, provided to the Audit byDr N Miller, 28 September 2012.10 While the Recommendation did not mandate that the academic program be shortened to cater for the single Service program,the Services decided that the overall length that undergraduates spend at ADFA was not to be increased. See Dr P Helson,‘Australian Defence College, Review Implementation Team, Single Service Training and Work Placement Feasibility Study’,provided to the Audit by S Longbottom, 17 December 2012.11 Dr P Helson, ‘Australian Defence College, Review Implementation Team, Single Service Training and Work Placement FeasibilityStudy’, provided to the Audit by S Longbottom, 17 December 2012.12 Dr P Helson, ‘Australian Defence College, Review Implementation Team, Single Service Training and Work Placement FeasibilityStudy’, provided to the Audit by S Longbottom, 17 December 2012.13 Dr S Mugford, ‘A suggestion around alternative entry because of life course differences’, provided to the Audit by S Mugford,13 February 2013.76