Australian Defence Force Academy Arrests

Commodore Kafer

Police arrested two cadets from the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) this morning over secretly fiming a female cadet having sex without her knowledge and broadcasting it over the internet. Daniel McDonald 19 and Dylan De Blaquiere 18 were released on strict bail conditions. McDonald's lawyer applied for a suppression order of his client's name, citing national security, but it was refused.

The complainant, an 18 year old first year cadet said she was humiliated when a sexual encounter with another first year cadet was transmitted via Skype to six cadets in another room without her knowledge. Still photos were also taken and distributed around the Academy.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith was appalled by the incident and acted quickly to launch an inquiry. Since then, a string of other complaints have emerged about the abusive treatment of women in the military with allegations of bullying, bastardisation and sexual assault.

Minister Smith said he had no confidence in Commodore Bruce Kafer, who has taken leave over the handling of the affair and was told to stand down. Senior serving military officers have been implicated in crimes covered up by the Defence Force, including male rape and assault.