Military Sexual Trauma Research Project Survey

Military sexual trauma refers to the lasting psychological harm that can result from experiences of sexual harassment or sexual assault during military service.

These experiences are often described as military sexual violence. This means unwanted or unwelcome sexual behaviours carried out against a service member in the course of their military service. It can happen on or off Defence premises, while a service member is on or off duty.

It may include behaviours used by fellow service members, ADF civilians, Defence civilians, ADF contractors, foreign military personnel, or others encountered in military settings.

Military sexual violence can include:

• sexual harassment
• sexual assault
• sex discrimination or discrimination based on sex
• sharing intimate images without consent
• stalking
• other sexually threatening behaviour.

Sexual violence in a military setting can feel different from civilian life because of things like rank, chain of command, close living and working conditions, a hyper-masculine ‘warrior’ culture, a culture of silence, and expectations around service and loyalty.

Military sexual trauma refers to the impact these experiences can have over time. It can include trauma responses, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and/or thoughts of suicide – especially when a person does not feel heard, protected, or properly responded to.

Not everyone who experiences military sexual violence will develop military sexual trauma. However, there is a strong link between the two, and understanding this link is important to improving how victim-survivors are treated within Defence and veteran systems.

The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide recognised that military sexual trauma is a serious human rights issue. In response, the Australian Government asked us to research how common it is and how it impacts people over time.

ADF records show that almost 800 sexual assaults were reported between 2018 -2019, and 2022-2023. However, many people never report their experiences, meaning the real number is likely much higher.

Military sexual trauma can have long-lasting impacts on people’s lives, health and wellbeing. There is currently not enough research or data to fully understand the scale of the problem or how people are affected during and after service. Without this information, it is harder to track change over time and improve how to respond.

By sharing your ideas, you can help build a clearer picture of military sexual trauma and help inform changes to how it is recognised, responded to and monitored in the future.

Every perspective matters. We want to hear from current and ex-serving members of all genders, ranks and backgrounds. You do not need to have personally experienced military sexual violence to participate.

To participate in the survey, you must be:

• a current serving ADF member OR
• former ADF member (permanent or reserves) who finished their service within the past 15 years (since 2011),

AND

• currently 18 years of age or older.

We recognise that other groups may also have experiences or perspectives they wish to share. The limits on who can take part are based on the scope and design of this research, not on the value or importance of those experiences.

The outcomes of this research will be included in a report, including recommendations for change.

Our team's job is to listen to what you tell us, analyse what is shared with us, and provide the findings and our recommendations to the Defence and Veterans Services Commission and ADF. This will help them to:

• better understand the systems and culture that leads to military sexual trauma
• identify the factors and conditions that may increase risk of military sexual trauma
• understand how ADF responses can help or hinder victim-survivors mental health
• inform decisions about improving systems, services and outcomes for those affected and all ADF members.

This project came about because the Royal Commission recognised that military sexual trauma is a serious human rights issue that can have long-lasting impacts on people’s lives, health and wellbeing. There is currently not enough research or data to fully understand the scale of the problem or how people are affected during and after service. Without this information, it is harder to track change over time and improve how to respond.

By filling out this survey, you can help build a clearer picture of military sexual trauma and help inform changes to how it is recognised and responded to in future.

The survey is anonymous. The ADF and DVA will not know if you have done the survey and will not have access to any individual responses.

Your answers will be seen by the survey supplier, Allen + Clarke, and by the AHRC Project team. Some quotes may be used in final published resources.   We’ll remove any details that might identify you or others.

We will have strict data management systems and rules in place to protect the confidentiality of any personal information you share and to keep your participation anonymous. There is more information about this in the participant information and consent form.

If you are currently serving, or have served since 2011, your voice is important and we want to hear from you.

To understand how common military sexual trauma is, we need to hear from both people who have and have not experienced military sexual trauma.

All current ADF members and those who have served since 2011 may also have important insights to share on what support victim-survivors need and how support could be improved.

If you have signed an NDA or confidentiality clause, you should not disclose legal advice, communications with lawyers, litigation strategy, draft evidence, confidential settlements or settlement discussions, or any information that must be kept confidential or is covered by a court order. If you are unsure, you should seek independent legal advice.

In October 2025, a class action was filed in the Federal Court of Australia against the Commonwealth of Australia on behalf of current and ex-serving ADF members who are women. They are seeking compensation for those who may have experienced gender-based sexual assault, harassment and/or discrimination whilst serving in the ADF at any point between 13 November 2003 and 25 May 2025.

Being part of, or wanting to be a part of, the Class Action does not prevent you from taking part in this project. Similarly, you can take part in the Class Action even if you have already contributed to this project.

The project is not related to the Class Action, and we will not ask you about the Class Action. We ask that you don’t share information about the Class Action during the survey, consultations or your written submission. Further information can be found on the ComCover website.