Four women from the Australian army have filed a class action for sexual abuse and discrimination, and thousands of other women may join them.

Four women from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) have initiated a groundbreaking class action lawsuit, alleging sexual abuse, harassment, and discrimination within the institution. The plaintiffs claim they were physically assaulted and humiliated by superiors in an environment marked by sexism. Lawyers state that thousands of other women may join the legal action, which has been filed in the Federal Court.

Among the allegations are physical assaults, sexist comments, and unequal treatment. A spokesperson for the ADF acknowledged that the military is working on a strategy to prevent sexual abuse. A recent report showed that approximately 800 sexual assault complaints were filed in the ADF between 2019 and 2024, but it is estimated that most incidents go unreported. The plaintiffs' lawyer emphasized that women in the military face a higher risk of sexual assault than external threats.