Australia probes navy 'sex game'
Australia probes navy 'sex game'
https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2009/07/112.jpg HMAS Success carries a crew of 220 male and female sailors
An investigation is under way in Australia over claims that navy sailors competed with each other to bed their female colleagues for cash prizes.
According to Channel Seven news, sailors on board HMAS Success put a cash value on each woman's head.
Sleeping with a female officer or a lesbian, or having sex in a strange place, won more money, the report said.
The Defence Department confirmed that a number of individuals had been sent back to Australia for interviews.
HMAS Success, which has a crew of 220, is currently on exercises in South East Asia.
According to the Channel Seven report, the contest came to light in May, when the vessel was in Singapore.
It said that the sailors recorded their efforts in a book called The Ledger, challenging each other to sleep with as many female colleagues as possible.
Sex on a pool table or with a lesbian reportedly scored higher points.
The Defence Department did not confirm how many sailors were involved.
But, in a statement to Seven Network, it said that a number of concerns raised by female crew members were "now subject to formal inquiry".
The "veracity of any allegations" had yet to be confirmed, it said.
Navy fears further sex scandal details
Navy fears further sex scandal details
TOP brass in the Royal Australian Navy fear any widening of the inquiry into sailors ticking off sex acts on HMAS Success because it could reveal the extent of illicit sex at sea.
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she wanted "The Ledger" sex competition, in which sailors tried to score with as many young female sailors as possible, to be fully investigated so young women would continue to consider navy careers.
But a senior RAN officer told the Herald Sun that sexual horseplay was "rampant", despite rules prohibiting on-board relationships.
The officer claims a proper inquiry would "put rugby league sex scandals to shame".
"Sex games are used to break up the monotony and tension, and any inquiry would find it more common than is being admitted to," the officer said.
Four sailors from the Success were ordered home from Singapore for allegedly organising a sexual conquests contest in May.
According to Channel 7, which first aired the claims, sailors awarded themselves bonus cash prizes for conquests of lesbians or officers during extended voyages at sea.
But navy chief Vice Admiral Russ Crane said the game surfaced during an audit of on-board behaviour while the Success was visiting Singapore.
"Navy is awaiting the results of the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service investigation," Vice Admiral Crane said.
"It will act as quickly as possible to address appropriate findings and recommendations, particularly should disciplinary or administrative action be warranted."
Ms Gillard wants Defence to conduct a thorough inquiry.
"We don't want to see anything that precludes women from having a good career in our armed forces if that is what they choose to do with their lives," Ms Gillard said.
"Clearly, these allegations need to be fully investigated."
Feminist commentator Melinda Tankard-Reist told Sky News that "animal-type mob behaviour" was supposed to have been eradicated from the navy.
"Obviously it is not," she said.
Navy fears further sex scandal details | National News | News.com.au
