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INTERVIEW: Julia Delaforce on the experience of women whistleblowers and the need for reform

Julia Delaforce standing in front of Parliament House in Canberra.

Julia Delaforce has called for reform to protect women whistleblowers, after she went public with serious cultural and systemic failures affecting women in uniform, and harassment in the armed services. Source: Supplied / Julia Delaforce

Former RAAF airwoman Julia Delaforce speaks with Angelica Waite about her experience as a whistleblower and why that has led her to call for change.


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By Angelica Waite

Source: SBS News



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Former RAAF airwoman Julia Delaforce speaks with Angelica Waite about her experience as a whistleblower and why that has led her to call for change.


Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.

And a warning, this interview contains distressing content.

Women who speak up against wrongdoing and become whistleblowers are paying a heavy price for their courage.

Those are the findings in a new report from the Human Rights Law Centre.

It finds women are more likely to face harassment and bullying in the workplace because of their whistleblowing disclosures.

Among recommendations, it calls for an independent whistleblowers authority that would offer advice to those wanting to call out wrongdoing, and a way to disclose information safely.

In this episode of Weekend One on One, former RAAF airwoman Julia Delaforce speaks with Angelica Waite.

In 2010, as a serving member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), she blew the whistle on serious cultural and systemic failures affecting women in uniform, and harassment in the armed services.

Her disclosure contributed to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Phase 2 report of the review into the treatment of women in the ADF published in 2012.

For veterans, seeking support, free and confidential counselling is provided by Open Arms on 1800 011 046. There are also the Defence All-hours Support Line on 1800 624 608; and Soldier On via 1300 620 380. Further support services can be found here.


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