Several former and active female soldiers have filed a class action lawsuit over alleged widespread sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination in the Australian armed forces.

The proceedings officially began in the Federal Court in Sydney on Friday.

The plaintiffs accused the army, navy, and air force of systematic violence and cover-ups over decades; observers are already calling it a landmark case.

The case is being led by the JGA Saddler law firm in Brisbane, which expects thousands of affected women to join.

It applies to anyone who served in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) between November 2003 and May 2025, the broadcaster ABC reported.

The lawsuit is being led by four lead plaintiffs from different branches of the ADF, whose names have not been released for legal reasons.

“These women are in an unsafe workplace; it is just rife with sexual violence, sexual assault, and sexual discrimination,” said law firm head Joshua Aylward.

“The threat of war often isn’t the biggest safety fear for female ADF personnel; it is the threat of sexual violence in their workplace.”

One of the victims, who served in the navy for 13 years, reported that her superior had harassed her for months until he finally threatened her and said, “We take women out the back and rape women like you so that you follow the rules.”

Another victim, now chair of a victims’ initiative, said, “It was like the shame was on you; it was all kept quiet, hush-hush. Nobody talked about it.”

She added that sexual assault affects almost every woman, regardless of age or rank.

The Australian Army said in a statement that all Defence personnel have a right to be respected and deserve to have a positive workplace experience in the ADF.

(dpa/NAN)