Defence Forces abuse survivors want 'abuse of rank and power' included in tribunal terms

Independent Review Group report concluded the Defence Forces 'barely tolerates women', and, at its worst, verbally, physically, sexually and psychologically abuses women in its ranks.

Survivors of Defence Forces mistreatment and other abuses want the terms of reference of the forthcoming Defence Forces tribunal changed to include abuses of rank and power.

Their request is to be dealt with at a sitting of the tribunal in Dublin on June 16.

Also to be heard then will be an application by the Defence Forces for more time with which to provide documentation needed by legal teams representing survivors in advance of the opening of proceedings.

The tribunal was one of the recommendations of the Independent Review Group report in March 2023.

It concluded the Defence Forces "barely tolerates women", and, at its worst, verbally, physically, sexually and psychologically abuses women in its ranks.

It noted 80% of harassment of male and female personnel was perpetrated by one or more members of a higher rank to the victim.

A notice on the tribunal’s website states there has been a request for a broader interpretation of the word ‘abuse’.

It notes: “The tribunal has received correspondence requesting it to adopt a broader interpretation of ‘abuse’ in order to encompass allegedly persistent violations of health and safety legislation by the Defence Forces.

“The rationale for the request is that allegedly systemic failures relating to health and safety were not remedied by the Defence Forces [and] amount to abusive treatment.”

The word ‘abuse’ is defined in the existing terms of reference as meaning “discrimination, bullying, harassment, physical torture, physical assault, psychological harm, sexual harassment and any form of sexual misconduct”.

This includes sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault and rape.

The tribunal was established to inquire into the Defence Forces' complaints processes in respect of complaints of abuse and to consider how those complaints were handled.

It was also set up to investigate whether there was a culture that discouraged the making of complaints of abuse.

It noted: “The tribunal considers it necessary that all parties have a clear understanding of what each category of ‘abuse’ is interpreted by the tribunal to mean.”

A source familiar with the application for a review of the terms of reference said: “Abuse should include the abuse of rank and power.

“At present, it isn’t included in the tribunal’s terms and conditions.”