Women in Defence Association

SAVE THE DATE | WiDA Announces 2025 WA International Women's Day (IWD) Event. In celebration of International Women's Day 2025, the Women in Defence Association (WiDA) is proud to host our third annual WA IWD event. This year, we are shifting the conversation forward—moving beyond the call for greater female representation in the sector - and introducing a defence conference amplifying the voices of diverse leaders, in the critically-overlooked area of Defence Infrastructure. Our event will bring together senior and emerging industry experts, small and medium businesses, and prime contractors to engage in critical discussions about the future of Defence Infrastructure—its needs, challenges, and opportunities, and presents the first domestic opportunity for networking specifically for defence infrastructure businesses. Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available Become a partner in advancing diversity and inclusion in the defence sector. Contact us for sponsorship details: 📧 members@womenindefenceassociation.org This is a gender-inclusive event, open to all who are passionate about shaping a more diverse, equitable future for defence. Let’s #MarchForward together. We look forward to seeing you there. Babcock Australia & New Zealand Curtin University NRAS ASC Pty Ltd Thales Defense & Security, Inc. Rachel Falzon Shannon Hennessy Colleen Yates MBA Judith Irvine Savannah Ogborne Abbie Lee Sarah Blake Reena Strehle #IWD2025 #womenindefenceassociation #WiDA #FTF #DefenceInfrastructureConference #Defence #DefenceEvent

Reporting SA or Rape can result in Involuntary Discharge. This is via Medical/Administrative/Involuntary. I call it a complete Discard #ADF #Military #Violence #MST #Justice #Advocate #Australia #Listenup

WiDA Webinars: Adopting a Trauma-Informed Response to Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault - In Partnership with Trauma Informed Practice Training (TIPT). The 2024 Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide highlights the underreporting of sexual assault in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), revealing up to 60% of incidents go unreported. Victims often avoid disclosure due to fears of inadequate handling of their claims. This webinar explains trauma informed practices, to improve outcomes for victims when they disclose sexual assault or sexual harassment. Webinar Key Takeaways: - Understanding the risk factors for sexual harassment and assault - Effects of sexual violence on health and wellbeing - Defining trauma and its impact - Understanding trauma responses - Identifying the pillars of Trauma Informed Care - How to follow a Trauma Informed response to Sexual Harassment or Sexual Assault disclosure Who should join this webinar? Anyone in the defence environment, across all levels of employment. Learn how to respond from a trauma informed perspective. If a disclosure was made to you - by a colleague, employee or friend - this webinar assists you with the knowledge of how to respond in a trauma-informed way and approaches that can transform the way we support survivors. Be part of the change. Free registration via EventBrite, link via the comments. Tanya Hallett Rachel Falzon Shannon Hennessy Judith Irvine Colleen Yates MBA Sarah Blake Abbie Lee Reena Strehle Savannah Ogborne Crystal Kennedy Kerry-Anne Palzewski Maisie Farmer Simonette Cox #bethechange #wida #widawebinars #changeisnow #tipt

We know how busy the ‘silly season’ can be with endless Christmas parties and events, so instead we’ve decided to host a WELCOME TO 2025 ✨ to launch the start of a new working year. Join the ACT Committee for a toast to the incredible achievements of women in the defence sector in 2024, discuss the challenges and triumphs we’ve faced, and chart a bold course for 2025 and beyond. Please RSVP to our Eventbrite below 🥂 https://lnkd.in/gfbeCv46 Women in Defence Association Maisie Farmer - ACT President Simonette Cox  Penelope Twemlow  Kimberley Healy  Megan O'Neill  Rachel Falzon

WA End of Year Event | Women in Defence Association has partnered with Defence Industry Networking and VESPIIA to bring in the end of year together! WiDA set off to create gender balanced networking events and we look forward to seeing this reality come to life. Follow the link in the comments to register. Thank you to our Platinum Partners Babcock Australia & New Zealand for their support during our founding year, and to everyone who has joined our network. #defence #defenceindustry #event #changeisnow Reena Strehle Colleen Yates MBA Rachel Falzon Shannon Hennessy Abbie Lee Savannah Ogborne Sarah Blake Judith Irvine

🚨 Change is coming—but survivors voices must be included. 🚨 The Government has responded to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. While progress is promised, real change depends on action and accountability. Survivor voices must shape the inquiry and the reforms ahead. Swipe 👉 to read our full statement and join us in holding the ADF and The Government accountable. #TheAthenaProject #SurvivorVoices #Accountability #RoyalCommission #VeteranSupport

Watch Back | Anthony Albanese confirms the government will agree, or agree in principle, with 104 of the 122 recommendations in the Royal Commission's final report. The Women in Defence Association (WiDA) expresses its deep concern over the announcement of yet another investigative process into sexual violence within the Australian Defence Force (ADF). At what point do we say enough is enough? More inquiries, more recommendations, more delays—this is not the reform our Defence personnel deserve. "Real, meaningful and enduring reform" has been promised time and again. Yet, where is it? What does this latest inquiry mean for current victims? What action will be taken against perpetrators still serving? How many more lives will be impacted as we continue to wait for decisive government action? We remind the Prime Minister and Defence Ministers of key moments in the history of this ongoing issue: 2010-2011: Defence’s Annual Reports recorded an average of 700 to 900 complaints of unacceptable behaviour, including sexual harassment and sex discrimination, lodged each year. (Source: Department of Defence, Annual Report 2010-11) 2011: The IGADF 2011 report highlighted around 75 sexual offence complaints by ADF personnel to ADF authorities each year. (Source: Human Rights Commission) 2012: The Review into the Treatment of Women in the ADF found that strong action was necessary to combat sexual misconduct, calling for swift and consistent action across all ADF services. 2014: The Audit into the ADF Women’s Review reiterated the need for comprehensive measures to tackle unacceptable behaviours. 2024: The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide devotes an entire chapter to military sexual violence, unacceptable behaviour, and military justice. Decades of reports and recommendations, yet we still find ourselves here—waiting for yet another inquiry to tell us what we already know. When will the Ministers and senior leadership in the Defence Australia take real action? When will we see meaningful reform? The time for inquiries is over. It’s time for action. Enough is enough. #WiDA #EndTheCycle #ActionNotInquiries #DefenceReform The Athena Project Aus

It’s been 18 months since this photo was taken. This was me a few days after it happened. A few days after I was drugged on a night out. A few days after my ‘Battle Buddy’ raped me multiple times over multiple days. I spent nearly 2 weeks in the on base ward at Puckapunyal being treated for multiple infections and trauma. ‘Stay here as long as you need to feel safe’ said the Doctor. I couldn’t eat or sleep properly. My stomach burned constantly. I couldn’t cry, I felt absolutely numb. Fast forward to now……..nothing has been done. Victoria Police are still investigating what is a clean cut case of rape. The evidence states this clearly. Yes no charges have been laid. My CoC at the time The School of Transport Australian Army told me they had no power to take action. They told me they didn’t want to know my perpetrators name even. The CDF Angus Campbell wrote me a letter after I contacted him……stating he was sorry about what happened. But he too had ‘No Power to Act’. The MP’s state they can’t act. The Chief of Staff state they have ‘No Power to Act’. How is it that an entire Army built on power and hierarchy…..’Has No Power’ to Protect their diggers? Hmmmm I don’t buy it. The New CDF didn’t even bother to acknowledge my Email and return a response. So all of his ‘Army All’ Emails about how he is for the diggers is BULLSHIT. My perpetrator ‘Private XXXX’ is a Truckie based out at Amberley. Now works with other women everyday. Has access to rape again. Has he? Probably. Has he raped before me? Definitely. Not only was he boasting to his mates about raping me…….he told a historical story something similar. With another. I question the ADF values a lot. Who is bound to them anymore. Surely not the digger right? Are they a waste of words when one isn’t held to them? Not to me. They maybe for ‘PTE XXXX’ a way for him to pretend, hide behind the uniform, have that extra layer of protection that Defence gives to Rapists. His Nephews call him ‘Captain Australia’. If only those poor kids knew the truth. He is no hero. Lots to think about this week. #ADF #Army #Advocate #Australian #MST #Justice #Legal #Sexualviolence

Leah Whittle’s story is powerful, but it’s not isolated. Through The Athena Project Aus we’ve received 282 disclosures of sexual violence from the veteran and Defence Australia community—each one a testament to the urgent need for change. While Leah’s courage shines, many others remain silent, fearing reprimand or retaliation. We stand with Leah Whittle and every survivor whose story deserves to be heard and acted upon. The time for action is now—for Leah, for the 282, and for all who come after. #SupportSurvivors #TheAthenaProject #VeteranAdvocacy #TimeForChange #StandWithLeah shamsa lea ☀️ Rachel Falzon Women in Defence Association Angela Ballard, CF Principal Coach

We're excited to announce that we are working on collecting and sharing the Warrior Stories of the Athena Community, showcasing the strength and resilience of veteran victim-survivors. Your experiences are powerful and deserve to be heard, so we invite you to tell your story and be part of the series. We understand that not everyone is comfortable or feels safe enough to do this. So we are inviting those who feel ready to contribute to our community and inspire others on their healing paths. To participate, please reach out to us at hello@theathenaproject.com.au. Visit our website for the page where we will be sharing these stories - https://lnkd.in/gs64avUU #TheAthenaProject #SupportSurvivors #DonateToday #BelieveSurvivors