REPORT ON ABUSE AT HMAS LEEUWIN
Reading Guide
This Reading Guide provides an overview of the contents of the Report on abuse at HMAS Leeuwin (HMAS Leeuwin Report) that was released by the Defence Abuse Response Taskforce (Taskforce) on 18 June 2014. It should be read in conjunction with the HMAS Leeuwin Report.
Background
The HMAS Leeuwin Report is based on the personal accounts of more than 200 complainants who trained at HMAS Leeuwin, a Junior Recruit Training Establishment operated by the Royal Australian Navy in Fremantle, Western Australia from 1960 to 1984. Virtually all of the complainants were Junior Recruits – aged between 15 and 17 years – at the time of the abuse.
Many Junior Recruits who went through HMAS Leeuwin no doubt had positive and formative experiences there, and went on to pursue successful military careers and lead productive lives. However, the picture drawn by the hundreds of complaints made to the Taskforce is that abuse at HMAS Leeuwin was much more serious and widespread than has been previously acknowledged. The HMAS Leeuwin Report also finds that the pattern of abuse at HMAS Leeuwin was such that Defence knew or ought to have known that abuse was occurring, yet failed to take appropriate action to stop it.
The Report contains numerous de-identified quotes and case studies from complainants who experienced abuse at HMAS Leeuwin. These personal accounts powerfully convey the nature and impact of abuse suffered by boys at HMAS Leeuwin. The Taskforce would like to thank all complainants who have shared their stories – in many cases for the first time.
Overview of the HMAS Leeuwin Report
Complaints relating to alleged abuse at HMAS Leeuwin have been individually assessed by the Taskforce taking into consideration all relevant and available information, including information provided by the complainant (verified by statutory declaration) and by Defence.
The HMAS Leeuwin Report contains details about – anda statistical summary of– complaintsof abuse received by the Taskforce in relation to HMAS Leeuwin (seeSection 3 and Appendices D, E and F).
Section 4of the Report outlines some of the significant patterns of abuse; Section 5 addresses the Defence response to abuse at HMAS Leeuwin; and Section 6 details the impacts of abuse on complainants.
In the case of complaints which have been assessed by the Taskforce as falling within its Terms of Reference and as raising plausible allegations of abuse, complainants are now being provided with access to outcomes appropriate to their individual circumstances. Further information about outcomes available to complainants is provided in Section 7.
In addition to assessing individual complaints, the Taskforce conducted research into allegations of abuse at HMAS Leeuwin and the circumstances surrounding incidents of alleged abuse. This included a review and analysis of material available on the public record, material provided by Defence and material provided to the DLA Piper Review into allegations of sexual or other forms of abuse in Defence.
The combination of this research and the assessment ofmore than 200 individual complaints has allowed the Taskforce to form the observations and conclusions contained in the HMAS Leeuwin Report, with overarching conclusions outlined in Section 8.
Other Resources Available
In addition to this Reading Guide, the Taskforce has released the following documents to assist anyone who is interested in the contents of the HMAS Leeuwin Report:
- a copy of the Foreword from the Chair of the Taskforce;
- an overview of the statistics in the Report;
- an overview of the types of abuse experienced by Junior Recruits at HMAS Leeuwin
- a document extracting the case studies from the Report; and
- a summary of the Report’soverarching conclusions.
These documents are available on the Taskforce website,
The Taskforce acknowledges that the HMAS Leeuwin Report contains sensitive and confronting information. If you are distressed and in need of urgent assistance, please contact one of the 24-hour support services listed below:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14; or
- Beyondblue: 1300 224 636.
Media Contact: call 0477 763 825 or email
4 National Circuit, BARTON ACT 2600 | Telephone: (02) 6141 4550 | Email:
1