<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Landmark class action by a group of women who allege systemic sexual abuse, harassment and discrimination within the Australian Defence Force has made its way to the courtroom.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Lawyers on both sides will provide a summary of their cases in the first hearing of the unprecedented legal action against the federal government in the Federal Court in Sydney today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There are four applicants in the class action, whose names are withheld for legal reasons.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australias-happiest-workers-revealed-new-seek-survey/127606a2-1f40-4921-8cad-5cd317bd876b" target="_blank"><strong><span>Australia's happiest generation of workers revealed</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But any woman subjected to sexual violence, sexual harassment or discrimination while working in the ADF between November 12, 2003 and May 25, 2025 is eligible to participate.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The class action has been filed by Australian law firm JGA Saddler, backed by global litigation funder Omni Bridgeway.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The legal case is a demand for action, accountability and real change as sexual violence and discrimination continues to plague female ADF members, JGA Saddler lawyer Josh Aylward said when the class action was launched in October.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/adf-sexual-violence-class-action-reaches-federal-court/8245dc4f-7cc5-4d05-9bd2-5040dd966bb1" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The threat of war often isn't the biggest safety fear for female ADF personnel, it is the threat of sexual violence in their workplace," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They have signed up to defend their country, not to fight off fellow ADF personnel on a daily basis, all while simply trying to do their job."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/zone-rv-caravan-company-enters-administration/5df3f233-9c01-46db-af56-b7dd0f29d42b" target="_blank"><strong><span>Hundreds of jobs on the line as caravan maker collapses</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Aylward noted these were not historical cases and some incidents had occurred within the past 12 months.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh is set to announce an inquiry into how pervasive sexual assault and sexual harassment are within the ADF.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The inquiry is expected to investigate barriers to reporting sexual misconduct, following through with complaints and the pressing of charges.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It will include the investigative powers of military police, barriers faced by civilian police investigating sexual assault on defence force bases, recidivism, decisions not to prosecute, conviction rates, sentencing outcomes and penalties.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Keogh will announce the full terms of reference in a speech to the National Press Club on today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Support is available from the</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>at</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.1800respect.org.au/" title="https://www.1800respect.org.au/"><strong><span>1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)</span></strong></a><strong><span>.</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>For under 25s</span></strong><span>: </span><strong><span>Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong></strong></div></div>