MEMBERS of the so-called Jedi council at the centre of the army’s abuse scandal have been accused of disseminating a woman’s home address so others could “get some action”.
Revealing details of the police investigation into latest allegations of misconduct in the army, Seven News has reported the group was co-founded by a former commando reservist officer who videoed himself having sex with a woman then emailed it to his mates on the defence-restricted computer network.
Images were viewed by up to 60 defence personnel who made comments on her appearance and performance.
Seven News said police had identified seven female victims and that some had been referred to by group members as “married moll number five” or “virgin moll”. The group made references to gang-bangs and demands for more images.
A satellite image of one woman’s home was distributed, accompanied by personal details so other group members could also “get some action”.
Seven said offensive comments were made about a female officer who had once featured in a defence advertising campaign about how great it was to be a woman in the army.
So far 10 soldiers have been suspended with another 90, mostly serving army members, still under investigation.
Launching a major crackdown on misconduct in the ranks, Army chief Lieutenant General David Morrison revealed the existence of this group last month.
He said it was involved in the creation and distribution of explicit and offensive material, featuring several women, on defence computers and the internet.
It follows the Australian Defence Force Academy ‘Skype’ scandal, which became public in 2011 after a male cadet had sex with a female cadet and secretly streamed the footage to his mates in another room.
A clearly disgusted General Morrison said the latest issue was worse because it involved very senior officers and men who have been in the defence force more than 10 years. The most senior was a lieutenant colonel, a rank which can command a battalion on combat operations. – AAP
