Natasha Stott Despoja AC to lead Inquiry into Military Sexual Violence
Defence and Veterans' Service Commission
- Natasha Stott Despoja AC has been appointed to lead an independent Inquiry into Military Sexual Violence in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), by Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Penny McKay.
- Ms Stott Despoja is a globally recognised expert on sexual and gender-based violence, with experience as a Royal Commissioner, Senator, Ambassador for Women and Girls, and Deputy Chair of beyondblue.
- The Inquiry follows extensive testimony heard by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide regarding the devastating impact of sexual assault and misconduct on serving and former ADF members, their colleagues, and families.
- As Deputy Commissioner, Ms Stott Despoja will convene hearings and engage with a broad range of stakeholders, with a particular emphasis on the lived experiences of current and former serving members, veterans, and their families.
- The Inquiry will formally commence in late 2026, with a public report expected at the end of 2027; further information on submissions and hearings will be made available in the coming months.
Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner Penny McKay has appointed Natasha Stott Despoja AC to lead the independent Inquiry into Military Sexual Violence in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Ms Stott Despoja is among the world’s leading experts on sexual and gender-based violence. She will bring valuable experience to the Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission’s (DVSC) Inquiry. Her experience includes serving as a Royal Commissioner of South Australia’s Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, serving Australia as a Senator and as Ambassador for Women and Girls. Ms Stott Despoja has been twice elected to the United Nations' Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and is currently serving on that committee.
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide heard extensive testimony about the devastating effects of sexual assault and other forms of sexual misconduct on the lives of serving and former serving ADF members, their colleagues and their families.
“Ms Stott Despoja is a fierce advocate for the prevention of violence, including sexual violence. As a former Royal Commissioner, a Deputy Chair of beyondblue and Ambassador for Women and Girls, Natasha brings a wealth of experience and insight across the intersecting issues of mental health, violence, institutional systems and public policy. This makes her an outstanding person to take this Inquiry forward.” Commissioner McKay said.
As the Military Sexual Violence Inquiry Deputy Commissioner, Ms Stott Despoja will convene and preside over hearings, and engage with a wide range of stakeholders, witnesses and officials.
“The experiences and perspectives of current and former serving members, veterans and families are critical to this work. We are looking to the future and seeking to understand what changes will best support the experience of people serving in the ADF today, and those who may join in the years ahead. Hearing directly from those with lived and living experience of military sexual violence will help ensure the Inquiry's findings are grounded in real-world experience and lead to meaningful, lasting improvement.” Commissioner McKay said.
The DVSC’s preparations for the Inquiry are well underway. The Inquiry will formally commence in late 2026 and report at the end of 2027. The Inquiry report will be made public.
Information about how to make public submissions, hearings and other ways the DVSC will work with people and organisations will be made available in the coming months.
“I am pleased to welcome Deputy Commissioner Stott Despoja to this role and look forward to working with her as the Inquiry gets underway. I have every confidence in her ability to lead this important work. I know she will bring independence, integrity and a strong focus on delivering outcomes that make a meaningful difference for the future,” concluded Commissioner McKay.
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About us:
· The Terms of Reference for the Military Sexual Violence Inquiry were developed following consultations by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
· This Inquiry will consider any reforms underway within the ADF arising from the Royal Commission’s recommendations 14-24 to address military sexual misconduct.
· The Inquiry will pick up issues the Royal Commission identified - but was unable to fully inquire into due to time constraints - such as prevention, justice, supports and data collection.
· Guided by the Terms of Reference, the Inquiry will consider six key thematic areas:
1. Prevention and early intervention
2. Reporting
3. Supports
4. Responses
5. Justice processes, and
6. Sexual violence terminology.
· The Inquiry will not investigate or make recommendations about specific cases, current or historical. This is consistent with the DVSC’s role as an oversight agency. The DVSC is not a complaints body, nor part of justice processes.
· The DVSC is an independent body created as a direct result of Recommendation 122 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
· The Royal Commission made 135 recommendations across two reports. It recommended system-wide reforms across military justice, Defence culture, leadership, health care, military sexual violence, transition to civilian life, support for families and the compensation claims process.
· The DVSC’s purpose is to oversee the government’s response to the Royal Commission, holding government to account for implementing the recommended reforms. The DVSC is monitoring, inquiring into, and reporting on reforms and providing advice and recommendations to government on system-wide improvement. Advice is informed by data, research, and the lived experiences of people in the Defence and veteran community.
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