Defence taskforce wants royal commission November 26, 2014 - 10:40AM A major report into Defence abuse has recommended a royal commission investigate the Australian Defence Force Academy. The long-awaited Defence Abuse Response Taskforce report found a significant number of serious allegations of abuse had never been investigated and individuals had not been brought to account. Defence does not have the capacity to deal with the allegations, it says. The taskforce recommends a royal commission investigate allegations of abuse and how they were dealt with from the inception of ADFA in 1986 until today. The report found at least 36 women were abused between 1991 and 1998, most of whom were under 20 at the time. Some were as young as 17. Allegations include indecent assault and rape perpetrated mainly by male cadets. "In most cases, these women indicated that they felt unable to disclose the full details of what happened to them at the time," the report says. There are at least 13 alleged abusers still serving in Defence - eight in the navy, five in the army and three in the air force. However, in a second report the taskforce recommended against a general royal commission into abuse in the defence force. While it acknowledged a strong message would be sent to those who experienced abuse, a royal commission was unlikely to add significant new information. Defence had been making genuine and significant efforts to achieve cultural change in recent years, it noted. The Taskforce considers that Defence should be given the opportunity to continue the measures it has been taking to effect cultural change in this area.