Book unveils institutionalised abuse in Australian Defence Force

A new book by a UNSW Canberra academic delves into the horrific abuse suffered by men and women while training and serving in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Depicting first person accounts, Warrior Soldier Brigand is a forensic analysis of how institutionalised abuse in the ADF has affected its personnel.

Author Associate Professor James Connor, from UNSW Canberra, said the book documents the patterns of abuse across decades. While each individual experience of abuse is unique – they share common themes. It is these themes that point to what needs reform, he said.

“I’ve been doing research into defence cultural reform for a long time. What I find most frustrating is that the stories are the same,” A/Prof. Connor said.

“These patterns go back to 1969, which was the first scandal about ADF misconduct, bullying, abuse and bastardisation. The stories collected in that inquiry are identical to some of the stories that we’ve seen in the latest Royal Commission and in our own research over the last few years.

“The real challenge now for Defence is to actually undertake the very difficult cultural reform needed to stop abuse within its ranks. We have had decades of failed or ignored attempts to reform – this time it needs to be different.”

A/Prof. Connor makes the case for how an institution designed for violence can be reformed so that violence no longer occurs within its ranks.

“The ADF is in a recruitment and retention crisis – the reforms we outline in the book are designed to shift the ADF into the 21^st Century,” he said.

“ADF Capability rests on its people – they are the biggest asset and we need to ensure that the ADF treats it’s people properly.

“The idea that you need to toughen up soldiers through bastardisation or bullying is just plain wrong. What we need for future capability is professional, educated, motivated soldiers that understand the gravity of using violence to achieve ends.”

The book is co-authored by Professor Ben Wadham from Flinders University, the two authors explore the pervasive issue of administrative violence, where senior ADF figures have used their seniority to target, harass and exclude soldiers, causing immense trauma and suffering.

With the final report from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide (DVSRC) released two weeks ago, the book is a timely reminder of the need to learn from the past and do better for veterans and current serving members.

A/Prof. Connor was called as an expert witness on the first day of hearings of the DVSRC. His research – much of it for the book, has directly informed the Commission’s findings. Nick Kaldas, the chairing Commissioner, praised the work as one of the “most insightful, significant examinations of the problems that have existed in our ADF for decades. It is not overstating it to say it is of historic importance”.

Warrior Soldier Brigand will be launched on Wednesday 25 September at Harry Hartog at ANU.

The book launch will host a panel discussion with author Prof. Ben Wadham, Dr. Nikki Coleman and Dr. Bernadette Carmell Boss. A/Prof. James Connor will launch proceedings on the night.