Defense Force investigating historical rape allegation from Australian sailor

[ad_1]

NZDF/Supplied

The NZDF says the allegations made by the sailor are “deeply concerning” and the alleged behavior is “wholly unacceptable”. (Picture file)

The Defense Force is investigating an historical rape allegation made by an Australian sailor.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the sailor claimed she was violently drugged and raped while on a 2007 exchange with the Royal New Zealand Navy in Singapore.

The Defense Force has responded by launching an investigation into the alleged rape.

“The NZDF takes all allegations of offending, especially sexual offending, seriously,” a spokesperson said.

READ MORE:* ‘Insidious’ loss of capability: The Defense Force’s struggle to respond to emergencies big and small* Veterans left without support despite traumatic deployments, says RSA * New Zealand Hercules aircraft arrives in UK for Ukraine military aid

“The allegations reported in the Daily Telegraph are deeply concerning and describe behavior that is wholly unacceptable in the Royal New Zealand Navy and the New Zealand Defense Force.”

The NZDF spokesperson said any serious offending overseas was investigated like it had occurred in New Zealand.

Chris McKeen/Stuff

Navy vessels docked at Devonport Naval Base in Devonport, north Auckland. (Picture file)

“We invite the person to come forward to the NZDF Military Police and make a formal report, if she wishes to.”

The soldier, identified as “Jennifer”, said a senior officer invited her out for drinks before allegedly spiking her beer.

Jennifer was 26 years old at the time and said she was hazy after only having two beers, “which is why I know my drink was spiked”.

“One of the seniors said I looked like I should go back to the ship and asked if I wanted a taxi back. I said yes, I knew something was wrong even if I couldn’t pinpoint what,” she said.

Jennifer said she remembered having trouble speaking or controlling her limbs and believed she passed out.

Her next memories were of being sexually assaulted, she said.

She reported what had happened to her supervisor the next day, but her alleged rape was dismissed, she said.

“He said he had heard I went to a hotel with the senior sailor willingly and said he wouldn’t tell my husband,” she said.

Jennifer said she suppressed the memory of the alleged rape for the next nine years before writing to the Australian Commonwealth Ombudsman in 2018.

The ombudsman acknowledged her “courage” in reporting the abuse, but it did not suggest any mental health support and replied a year later saying the allegation was “outside its jurisdiction”.

Jennifer said she believed the Australian Defense Force had a duty of care to address the fact her supervisor on the Navy ship actively dissuaded her from reporting being raped.

Where to get help for sexual violenceRape Crisis 0800 88 33 00, click link for local helplines. Safe to talk: a 24/7 confidential helpline 0800 842 846, text 4334, webchat safetotalk.nz or email [email protected]. The Harbor Online support and information for people affected by sexual abuse. Women’s Refuge 0800 733 843 (females only) Male Survivors Aotearoa Helplines across NZ, click to find out more (males only) If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111.

Need help? If you or someone you know is in a dangerous situation, click the Shielded icon at the bottom of this website to contact Women’s Refuge in a safe and anonymous way without it being traced in your browser history. If you’re in our app, visit the mobile website here to access Shielded.

[ad_2]