The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) is making steady strides to improve its culture to make the officer training institution more inclusive for women members.
But an Australian Human Rights Commission audit of its progress found ongoing incidence of sexual harassment and misconduct, underscoring the urgency for the implementation of a sexual ethics program.
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick said ADFA's culture must reflect defence values and the standards expected of it by the community.
"There is clear evidence that ADFA is working to improve its culture and build a more inclusive organisation for all its members, including women," she told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
"Instances of sexual harassment, behaviour and attitudes, which are unwelcome, inappropriate or offensive, continue to be present at ADFA."
In her preliminary review of the treatment of women in the ADFA released last year, Ms Broderick found widespread, low-level sexual harassment and inadequate levels of supervision.
Defence introduced a range of reforms, including programs to better supervise cadets and also developed an annual Unacceptable Behaviour Survey across defence training establishments to better target areas of concern.
Ms Broderick said while she didn't expect that cultural change on the scale envisaged at the ADFA could be achieved in a year, more attention was needed in some areas, particularly sexual ethics.
Defence has now opened a new Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Office (SeMPRO) to support victims of sexual offences, which was a key recommendation of Ms Broderick's earlier report.
"We are shifting our immediate focus from pursuing the perpetrators or the actual investigation of the incidents, towards caring and supporting people who have experienced sexual misconduct," Australian Defence Force chief General David Hurley said.
SeMPRO will offer 24-hour confidential support for victims of sexual assault and give advice to commanders and managers on how to manage incidents.
General Hurley said defence needed a new approach with an emphasis on the care of victims.
"We know that a significant number of incidents go unreported, which means that there are a significant number of people who have been subjected to sexual misconduct but who are not receiving any assistance," he said.
"The health and welfare of our people is my highest priority."
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