26/11/2012 14:58
Australia apologized to victims of abuse within military
Australia's government and defense force commander apologized to hundreds of victims of abuse within the military on Monday, clearing the way for victims to receive compensation, the Reuters reports.
In an address to parliament, Defence Minister Stephen Smith acknowledged that soldiers, sailors and member of the air force had suffered abuse, often by superiors under the excuse of toughening up younger recruits, since the early 1950s.
"To those men and women in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) or the Department of Defence who have suffered sexual or other forms of abuse, on behalf of the government, I say sorry," Smith told parliament.