ADF chief's advice to cadets not to go out alone while ‘attractive’ criticised as dangerous

Sexual assault researchers and victim advocates have labelled comments by the defence force chief as “dangerous” after he told first-year cadets they should avoid alcohol and going out alone while being “attractive”, so as not to become a target for sexual predators.

Angus Campbell released a statement on Wednesday afternoon expressing concern that his comments had been misinterpreted and that he had intended to challenge trainee officers to “mitigate risk”, following fierce backlash about his speech to a Australian Defence Force Academy cohort warning them to avoid the “four As”: alcohol, out after midnight, alone and attractive.

Dr Rachael Burgin, chair of Rape and Sexual Assault Research and Advocacy, said Campbell’s comments placed the onus of responsibility to prevent sexual assault onto women instead of potential perpetrators.

“The comments demonstrate a complete lack of understanding around the causes and drivers of sexual violence in the community, particularly because we know sexual violence is likely perpetuated by someone known to the victim,” Burgin told the Guardian.

“Avoiding being outside after 8pm will not lower rates of sexual violence.”

Burgin said Campbell’s sentiment and the subsequent defence of his comments suggested a broader issue within defence.

“If this is something that can be said by the chief of the defence force, then it’s demonstrative of a broader cultural issue within the organisation.

“It raises huge red flags, particularly for how Defence might response if someone chooses to report internally sexual violence perpetuated in the context described by Campbell.

“I’ve seen some criticisms that his comments are unhelpful, but they’re actually worse than unhelpful it’s actively dangerous, because it spreads misinformation around the realities of sexual violence,” Burgin said.

Australian of the Year and victim advocate Grace Tame called the comments “really unhelpful”.

“I’m not judge, jury and executioner, but that’s not helpful rhetoric at all,” Tame said after addressing the National Press Club on Wednesday.

“That feeds the idea that this is something that a victim has to foresee and stop themselves, as if they’re to blame,” Tame said.

One female cadet said the comments made her feel “uncomfortable”, according to the Canberra Times, which initially reported the comments.

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In a statement, Campbell said his “intent was to raise awareness and challenge the group to do what they can to mitigate risk”.

“I am aware that my comments have been interpreted by some in a way that I did not intend. There is never an excuse for perpetrating sexual assault or sexual harassment and the perpetrator is always to blame,” Campbell said.

“In my speech I reinforced the importance of the trainee cohort coming together to build a community that works in support of everyone, establishes trust in one another, and ultimately for that group to build a strong network of friends and colleagues who look out for each other.

“I acknowledge the importance and power of language in addressing systemic inequality and continue to be informed by the experiences of Defence personnel as we seek to ensure that the ADF is a workplace where all personnel can thrive.”

Earlier, the opposition home affairs spokeswoman, Kristina Keneally, warned that Campbell had suggested that women need to change their behaviour to avoid sexual assault.

“It’s clumsy language,” Keneally told Sky News on Wednesday.

“I think what Angus Campbell was seeking to do, and addressing a group of young army officers, is to give them, particularly women, to give them advice and to speak to how they might keep themselves safe.

“The advice that Angus Campbell gave, particularly around that women should be alert to being alone and attractive at night, I would invite him to reflect upon that. It’s clumsy language.

“I know all organisations are struggling with culture, and these issues of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

“I would invite Angus Campbell to reflect upon his language and to think about how he might better communicate.”

In a statement, defence said Campbell’s comments could help trainees “recognise and mitigate the threat posed by abusive or predatory individuals”.

“In his recent address to the new cohort of ADFA trainee officers, the CDF noted matters in the media regarding allegations of sexual harassment and assault,” Defence’s statement said.

“In his view, being aware of the four As – young, attractive people, noting the entire class fell into this risk factor; alcohol; after midnight; and alone – enabled the group to recognise and mitigate the threat posed by abusive or predatory individuals,” it said.

• In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. International helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org