The Australian Defence Force is facing over 100 compensation claims for sexual and physical abuse.
The claims, which date back up to fifty years, could cost Defence millions in compensation.
Figures obtained by Fairfax Media show Defence are currently facing about 300 compensation claims – with 105 of them for sexual and physical abuse.
Other claims include personal injury, damage caused by “defective administration” and statutory compensation.
A lawyer handling some of the claims told Fairfax that more claims could yet emerge.
Adair Donaldson of Shine Lawyers said his firm was acting for a large number of complainants and that the compensation claims ranged from about $75,000 to more than $1 million.
He told Fairfax that in extreme cases some victims were suffering profound psychological effects and relationship issues, and could not work.
In December’s budget update, the Federal Government flagged the litigation as a potential liability.
“The Department of Defence is involved in a wide range of litigation and other claims for compensation and/or damages that may result in litigation where the matters are not able to be finalised by use of negotiation,” the update says.
It does not go into detail about the number of claims, but says some claims stem from recent cultural reviews.
“A number of claims have also been received following reviews into Australian Defence Force and Defence culture.”
The Defence Abuse Response Taskforce was established in late 2012 to investigate claims of abuse in the armed forces.
It reported back to the Government in 2014, saying that it had so far assessed 2224 cases raising plausible allegations of abuse, made by more than 1650 complainants.
“The complaints made to the Taskforce raise a significant number of allegations of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, physical abuse and harassment and bullying, where the alleged abusers were either cadets, ADFA staff members or other more senior ranking members of Defence,” the taskforce report says.
The taskforce is still in operation, although submissions have closed.
