The series of scandals to rock the New South Wales Police Force shows us once again that there are systemic, cultural issues across a variety of institutions across Australia and these problems are more extensive than most people realise!
On Tuesday, Lia Harris of the ABC reported that a sergeant in the NSW Police Force had recently been investigated by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission for filming the genitals of a colleague before distributing the vision to a WhatsApp group.
The sergeant’s behaviour was found to be “unprofessional” but “not criminal.”
The incident, and the response by the NSW Police Force is hauntingly similar to the 2011 Skype Scandal that rocked the Australian Defence Force (ADF), and their response afterwards.
In the wake of the scandal, the ADF appointed Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, to conduct a review into the Treatment of Women in the ADF, with her report handed down in August 2012. Similarly, the NSW Police Force have appointed former Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Kristen Hilton to conduct a review of the organisation’s culture.
The announcement of this review comes as reviews have been announced across several organisations and several states including:
- Queensland Police Service are currently conducting a review to increase diversity and inclusion within the service, the first part of which was published in December 2024.
- KPMG are currently conducting the “Athlete Safeguarding Governance and Culture Review of the Western Australian Institute of Sport”, which commenced in November 2023.
- Sports Integrity Australia conducted the “Independent Review into the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Program” with the report released in 2022;
- The Australian Human Rights Commission conducted the “Independent Review into Gymnastics in Australia”, with the report released in May 2021;
- Swimming Australia appointed an independent panel to conduct a review into the treatment of women and girls in the sport, releasing the recommendations in January 2022.
While these reviews are a promising start, they have all commenced as a result of public outcry and media scrutiny after complaints were made public.
It seems that complaints are often taken to the media and made public only after disappointing or inadequate responses from the institutions involved. Quite often, those who voice these complaints face victimisation, as experienced by Paul Burgess from the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) after he reported inappropriate conduct he had witnessed (2024, December 13, The Australian).
To foster meaningful and lasting cultural change, it’s essential to create an environment where individuals feel safe and supported when disclosing cultural inadequacies and systemic issues.
We must ensure that those who courageously come forward can share their experiences in full, without fear of retaliation or repercussions.
It takes a lot of courage to come forward, and to effect meaningful and lasting cultural change, we MUST ensure people feel supported and safe when doing so. By promoting a culture of transparency and accountability within our institutions, we encourage more people to come forward, knowing they will be heard and protected.
Courtney continues to advocate for those who have experienced abuse while part of an institution such as the ADF, or training at the AIS and offers her support by providing them with obligation free consultations.