Royal Commission hears cadets were raped with broomsticks during ‘initiation prank’

ARMY cadets have told a royal commission they were raped with brooms and senior officers did nothing. WARNING: Graphic content

The entrance to the Army Apprentices School, Balcombe, where a man says he was raped with a broomstick.

WARNING: Graphic content

THE only thing worse than the brutal sex abuse experienced by cadets at an Army school in Victoria was the response by senior officers.

The Royal Commission into sexual abuse within the Australian Defence Force turned its attention on Thursday from HMAS Leeuwin in Fremantle to the Army Apprentices School in Balcolme on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

Day three of the hearing saw witnesses come forward to tell horrific stories. One man, known as CJC, even broke down on the stand while reciting a poem about his sexual abuse.

The most confronting testimony was delivered by David Sparreboom, a man who still lives with the horrors of his experiences at Balcolme in the 1970s.

Mr Sparreboom, who joined the Army as a 16-year-old, said he was held face down on the floor on one occasion and raped with a broom handle.

“I (told a senior officer) something like, ‘People are getting broomsticks up the bum. I don’t know what I can do about it’,” Mr Sparreboom told the inquiry.

He said the response from those in charge is the biggest part of the problem with abuse within the ADF.

“(He said) something like, ‘You are all young fellas and pranks will happen’.”

Mr Sparreboom said abuse, even if it happened “in the spur of the moment”, can ruin a person’s life.

Army cadets say they were routinely abused at Balcolme and senior officers turned a blind eye.

“Those people need to be brought to account for what they have done,” he said.

The so-called “pranks” or initiations were routine at Balcolme and at HMAS Leeuwin. Peter Sinclair, who was second-in-charge at the Fremantle Navy base from 1973-1975, explained on Thursday that ceremonies were an “official” part of the culture.

“For centuries, sailors have been conducting initiation ceremonies,” he said.

“I don’t think that’s in any way wrong. My personal view is that we should continue to keep the tradition going.”

He said initiation itself was not the problem, but admitted the hazing often got “out of control”.

Patrick Nunan is representing two men who say they were sexually abused at Leeuwin. His firm, Shine Lawyers, is representing almost 150 complainants.

Mr Nunan asked Mr Sinclair if there was a reason cadets chose not to report their abuse.

“Could it be that one of the reasons the complaints of sexual abuse amongst the recruits were not made to the authority was because of the fear of discharge because of homosexual activity?” he asked.

Mr Sinclair acknowledged that Mr Nunan’s assertion was “probably correct”.

Commissioner Peter McClellan is overseeing the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse within the ADF. Picture: Jeremy Piper/AAP

Earlier on Thursday, CJC read part of the following heartbreaking poem before asking for help to finish it.

I was once a boy, full of life and hope and plans for my years ahead,

But on several nights, my life was turned, on the floor near my guardian’s bed.

I now have a wife, and a pair of great kids, grandkids too I must add,

But I’ve failed them all, and I know it’s because of the fun that my guardian had.

I beg of you all, whatever you do, protect all kids from now on,

Because 45 years of living with shame, has certainly turned out wrong.

If you’re a victim, and sought no help, go and do it for you and me,

I didn’t, I should’ve, but I found it’ll help, form the best you that you can be.

The commission is examining the experiences of survivors of rape and abuse at Leeuwin between 1960-1980, the Army Apprentice School Balcolme between 1970-1980 and within cadet ranks from 2000 to present.

It follows the establishment of a taskforce in 2012 to deal with as many as 2400 historical complaints.

Thirty people are expected to give evidence before commissioners Justice Peter McClennan, Robert Fitzgerald and Professor Helen Milroy.

The hearing continues until July 1.

For support and information about suicide prevention, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.