Two charged in military sex scandal

Published Apr 29, 2011

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Two young men have been charged in a sex scandal at a prestigious Australian military college that led to a review of the treatment of women in the armed forces.

Canberra police said the two men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested early on Friday at the Australian Defence Force Academy in connection with the March incident in which a female cadet was allegedly unknowingly filmed and broadcast having sex.

Australian Capital Territory police said: “Police will allege that a female cadet was recorded without her consent engaging in consensual sexual intercourse.”

Both men have been charged with using “a carriage service to cause offence”, a crime which covers the abuse of any electronic communications service. The older man was also charged with an act of indecency.

They were due to fappear in court later on Friday.

The arrests follow national outrage after the 18-year-old female cadet took her story to the media, claiming she had sex with a fellow classmate who allegedly broadcast the encounter on Skype so his friends could watch.

The incident led to a police probe and several government inquiries, including one into the treatment of women in the military.

It also triggered a wave of complaints from former military members alleging sexual abuse, beatings and other misconduct within the defence force.

Another inquiry into allegations of misconduct on board the supply ship HMAS Success uncovered a culture of drinking and predatory sexual behaviour. - Sapa-AFP

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