Stott Despoja to lead Military Sexual Violence Inquiry

I am pleased to announce Natasha Stott Despoja AC has been appointed Deputy Commissioner of the independent Defence and Veteran Service Commission (DVSC) to lead the inquiry into Military Sexual Violence as recommended by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. As a former Royal Commissioner for South Australia’s Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, Ms Stott Despoja is exceptionally well credentialed to lead work to better protect ADF members from the threat of sexual violence.

Ms Stott Despoja served as Australia s Ambassador for Women and Girls from 2013 to 2016 and she continues to be a leading international voice for the prevention of sexual violence. The Inquiry responds to Recommendation 25 of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which heard extensive, harrowing evidence from serving and ex-serving ADF members of the impact of sexual violence.

Those who wear our uniform might expect to face threats to their safety on the battlefield, but never from those whom they serve alongside. The Inquiry will begin later this year and run for around 12 months, with a final report to be made public. Terms of Reference can be found at: www.dvsc.gov.au/resources/military-sexual-violence-terms-reference 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.

This includes those with lived and living experiences around military sexual violence. The Inquiry will make recommendations to improve prevention and early intervention, protections for victim-survivors of military sexual violence, ensure perpetrators are held to account and advance a victim-centric approach within the ADF. Consistent with the DVSC’s role as an oversight body, the Inquiry will not investigate or make recommendations about specific cases of sexual violence, current or historical.