Independent Inquiry into Military Sexual Violence in the Australian Defence Force
The Inquiry will review reforms introduced since the Royal Commission and identify where further improvements are needed.
On 2 December 2025, the Honourable Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, announced an independent Inquiry into military sexual violence within the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Minister Keogh has requested the Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission (DVSC) lead this Inquiry.
This Inquiry will deliver on a key recommendation from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide - to conduct an independent, expert inquiry into military sexual violence which makes public recommendations for improvement.
Deputy Commissioner
On 3 September 2026, Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner Penny McKay appointed Natasha Stott Despoja AC to lead the Inquiry.
What is being inquired into?
The aim of the Inquiry is to provide:
- a holistic understanding of military sexual violence in the ADF, and
- advice to Government on reforms to prevent, manage and respond to military sexual violence in the ADF.
This Inquiry will assess the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations 14 to 24.
It will also inquire into six thematic areas:
- prevention and early intervention
- reporting
- supports
- responses
- justice processes, and
- sexual violence terminology.
In doing so, the Inquiry will seek to identify gaps and opportunities and make recommendations to:
- make cultural and workplace changes in the ADF to aid in the prevention of sexual violence
- improve workplace protections for victim-survivors of military sexual violence
- ensure that systems are in place to effectively hold perpetrators to account, and
- advance a victim-survivor centric approach.
Why is this important?
The Royal Commission found that sexual violence remained a systemic issue in the ADF. It identified the profound impacts of military sexual violence on ADF personnel and linkages to suicide and suicidal distress. The Royal Commission heard extensive evidence from serving and ex-serving members about the devastating impact that sexual assault and other forms of sexual misconduct has on their lives, and the lives of their colleagues and families.
Sexual violence in the ADF is completely unacceptable. The Royal Commission found reforms were needed in prevention, survivor support, data collection and justice – but was unable to fully inquire into these issues due to time constraints.
In its response to Royal Commission recommendation 25, the Government made a commitment to conduct an expert, independent Inquiry into military sexual violence in the ADF.
This landmark, independent Inquiry is essential to driving meaningful change within the ADF.
When will the Inquiry commence?
The Inquiry will formally begin in late 2026.
The Inquiry will be completed by the end of 2027. A Final Report will be provided to Government, tabled in Parliament and published.
Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference can be found here:
Terms of Reference - Military Sexual Violence Inquiry
The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry were developed following independent consultation by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). Consultation involved serving and ex-serving victim-survivors of sexual violence in the ADF, specialist service providers and other stakeholders.
The Inquiry will not investigate and make recommendations about specific cases, current or historical. The DVSC is not a complaints body, nor part of a justice process.
Advisory Group
The Inquiry will establish an advisory group comprising current and ex-serving ADF members with lived experience of military sexual violence.
This Group will operate for the duration of the Inquiry. They will provide advice on the processes and operation of the Inquiry. The Group will also be consulted throughout the development of recommendations for system-wide reforms.
Working with the Advisory Group will ensure the Inquiry can be adequately informed by contemporary lived experiences.
Further information about the Inquiry will be available later in 2026.
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