An Australian Defence Force veteran has described how sustained bullying, harassment and being refused discharge after a poor complaints process led to her psychological decline.
The ex-soldier, who gave evidence to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide on Thursday in Sydney under the pseudonym SY5, said she suffered degrading and humiliating bullying for more than a year.
She was targeted by several young men aged in their 20s while she was serving as their deputy commander.
"They had a real problem with that, they did not like that at all," SY5 told the commission.
"It was very derogatory ... Everyone in the squadron was talking about me in this way and it was humiliating.
"The thing that struck me the most was when I talked to the youngest one ... he was like, 'I just don't think women belong in the army'."
At the time, SY5 had a return of service obligation of one year, but sought an early discharge due to the bullying and harassment and was subjected to an investigation.
She had to tell her story to investigators again and again over several hours, re-traumatised her.
After several months, her request to discharge was rejected by the Soldier Career Management Agency despite being endorsed by a senior officer at her army base.
Her next option was to file a redress of grievance via the ADF inspector-general, which was also unhelpful.
She then wrote to senior ADF members, urging them to help resolve her matter, but she was told: "Know your place as a soldier and use your chain of command."
At this point her psychological state had severely declined, she suffered from suicidal thoughts, severe memory loss and was constantly crying.
She went to see a psychiatrist and was given a medical certificate stating that she needed time off, but this was rejected by senior army officers.
SY5 refused to go back to the unit due to her psychological state, when a senior officer told her "if you don't come back we will institutionalise you".
Frightened by this threat, she engaged friends to help her create a medical power of attorney. Eventually, her doctor came up with a plan and requested urgent convalescent leave.
She went to visit friends with the army in Darwin, where she had a very different experience and her immediate medical discharge was sought after a psychological evaluation.
Her experience left her severely depressed and she suffered suicidal ideation on at least three occasions.
"The ADF harmed me in a way I never thought they could," she said.
"They shattered by core beliefs about human nature, they behaved in unspeakable ways and they simply didn't uphold their duty of care.
"It is my belief that real change will not occur in the ADF until people are held accountable for their actions."
She said her bullies had since received postings in sought-after positions in the army and there were no consequences for their actions nor the actions of senior officers.
She urged the commission to make recommendations for the ADF to significantly improve its complaints process by giving members more legal protection and offering independent advocates.
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