Abuse apology for troops
Monday 26 November 2012
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EmailAustralian Defence Minister Stephen Smith today publicly apologised to military personnel past and present who were sexually abused or otherwise mistreated during their service.
Mr Smith made the apology in parliament on behalf of the government and is the latest step in a two-year effort to reform the Australian military and make it more accepting of women.
"Young men and women have suffered treatment which no member of our defence force or our community generally should experience," Mr Smith said.
He noted claims that officers had abused their positions of trust through their own behaviour or by turning a blind eye to the actions of others.
Retired judge Len Roberts-Smith had been appointed to examine allegations from over 1,000 people.
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