ADF women invited to join sexual harassment class action

Thousands of women who served in the Australian Defence Force have been invited to join a class action filed in the Federal Court in Sydney alleging systemic sexual harassment, assault, discrimination and retaliation while on duty, lawyers said on Friday. The suit, launched by class-action firm JGA Saddler and backed by litigation funder Omni Bridgeway, is open to women who served in the ADF between November 12, 2003 and May 25, 2025, the firm said.

The legal action is being led by four unnamed applicants and, according to the law firm, could involve between 10,000 and 20,000 eligible women. The complaint alleges prolonged victimisation by male colleagues, including incidents described as groping, forced kissing, being pinned against walls, unwanted advances during social events, and waking up injured and disoriented after parties. Plaintiffs also recount persistent sexist and hostile remarks, unsolicited pornographic images, and workplace cultures that discouraged reporting and punished those who spoke up.

JGA Saddler lawyer Josh Aylward said the claims reflect widespread problems within Defence and that many affected women want their voices heard. He said some incidents...