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Women have described cases of military sexual trauma as being "enabled, ignored and condoned" in Australia, with mental health and other professionals calling for immediate action to recognize and address this significant "entrenched" issue in the armed forces.

Many of the female veterans described the scars of abuse suffered in the army, navy or air force in civilian life, even though the Australian Defense Force (ADF) has taken steps in recent years to address military justice, sexual violence and unacceptable behaviors in the armed forces.

A range of experts from Australia and overseas conducted in-depth interviews with 22 veterans and repeated the calls to accelerate much-needed changes in the male-dominated culture of the armed forces.

"Women veterans face significant challenges while serving in the military and in transition to civilian life, due to the highly masculinized military environment," says Professor Sharon Lawn, the first author of a new journal article about veterans' experiences of abuse and 'gender disempowerment' during and post service.

"Some of the women veterans we interviewed also experience significant gender-based barriers to services and support.

"The experiences of harassment, discrimination and military sexual assault (and the consequent trauma) for the Australian women veterans who participated in this study were described as largely stemming from this entrenched gendered military culture."

While acknowledging current work to develop a National Women Veterans Strategy, the researchers say progress is too slow, exacerbated by the conservative nature of military organizations common in most countries.

Flinders University Professor Ben Wadham, who submitted evidence to the Australian Royal Commission into Defense and Veteran Suicide, says the suicide rate for ex-serving ADF females was 107% higher than the general Australian female population.

The royal commission reported last year that ex-serving women discharged involuntarily for medical reasons were 5.2 times more likely to die by suicide compared to those discharged voluntarily.

"This study adds depth and understanding to the small but growing body of research on the experiences of women veterans," says former serviceman Professor Wadham, a co-author of the new article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

"The ADF and Department of Veterans' Affairs have recognized the need for a cultural change to address gender issues during military service and in how supports for transition and post-military service are provided.

"We are calling for more action in translating policies arising from such inquiries into practice within its military institutions and within institutions supporting its veterans in the community after service."

Researchers say these experiences for women veterans are also pervasive in other countries, such as the U.K., the U.S. and Canada.