Defence Abuse Taskforce findings

WHAT TASKFORCE DISCOVERED:

*Reports of abuse:

In total - 2224

Navy - 861

Army - 879

Air Force - 378

Australian Public Service - 56

ADFA - 50

*Types of abuse:

834 cases of sexual abuse

389 cases of sexual harassment

1067 cases of physical abuse

1464 cases of harassment and bullying

*Targets of abuse:

Men 1647 cases

Women 577 cases

Key Facts:

* The Navy received the highest number of complaints per head of personnel, and the highest number of sexual abuse complaints.

* Most cases of sexual harassment were reported to have occurred in the navy.

* The lowest number of complaints occurred in the air force, but it had the highest over-representation of woman to have experienced abuse (37 per cent).

* The highest number of complaints relate to incidents in the 1970s and 1980s. However, the taskforce was concerned about the high number of complaints between 2000 and 2011 (476).

* Young people are a major target of abuse, with 62 per cent of complainants under 21 years and 27 per cent under 18.

* Women are the primary target of sexual abuse, making up 74 per cent of complaints in the Navy, 88 in the Army and 82 per cent in the Airforce.

Alleged Abusers still serving in Defence:

* 594 in the permanent forces and working for the public service in defence

* 204 in the active reserve

* 341 in the inactive reserve

(Source: Defence Abuse Response Taskforce)