Panel Arrangement for Provision of Restorative Engagement Facilitator Services

From 1 December, the functions of the Commonwealth Ombudsman (OCO) include an independent complaints process for Complainants of abuse in Defence. The expanded function provides an alternative mechanism for people who have suffered abuse in Defence to report abuse, through the Defence Force Ombudsman (DFO). The new function enables the OCO to take appropriate action to respond to individual reports of abuse to those Complainants who prefer not to access Defence's internal mechanisms. The new function complements the cultural change strategy being implemented by Defence.

The OCO reports of abuse function covers Complainants of sexual abuse, serious physical abuse and serious bullying or harassment of a Complainant. The expanded function applies to Complainants who were abused in the course of their employment and are or were members of the Defence Force and a limited class of Defence APS employees or contractors to Defence engaged in activities connected with overseas operations of the Defence Force.

The OCO will offer restorative engagement to Complainants who have made reports of abuse where the OCO is satisfied that there is a reasonable likelihood that the abuse occurred in connection with their employment in Defence.

The primary aim of participation in a restorative engagement conference is to provide Complainants who have made reports of abuse to participate in a restorative process that allows their personal account of abuse to be heard, acknowledged and responded to by Defence. The Restorative Engagement Program has been designed specifically for Complainants of abuse in Defence. The Program is modelled on restorative conferencing and is underpinned by the core values and principles of restorative justice.