The Sexual Misconduct Response Centre Hosts Virtual Event on 22 June to Announce New and Expanded Support Services for Those Affected by Sexual Misconduct

June 21, 2022 -  Defence Stories

Since 2015, the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC) has been providing support services to currently serving Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and most recently to former CAF members and to Department of National Defence (DND) public service employees who are affected by sexual misconduct. With Budget 2021 investments, the SMRC has evolved at a rapid pace to develop new support services and expand existing ones.

One of these new support services is the Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Peer Support Program. In fall 2021, the Centre held consultations with subject-matter experts and people with lived experience to inform how this new program will be developed. With the feedback received following these consultations, the SMRC created a program model and adapted it to serve the needs of the Military Sexual Trauma Community. The MST Peer Support Program model, which shows the main features that will be offered, is now available online.

As part of its efforts to continue engaging with those affected by sexual misconduct, the SMRC will be hosting a virtual engagement session on 22 June from 1:00pm to 3:00pm (Eastern Time) to share updates on this long-awaited MST Peer Support Program, jointly developed with Veterans Affairs Canada. It will also announce other important existing support services that are expanding and new programs and services that are being developed to ensure those affected by sexual misconduct have the support they need and deserve.

In order to allow everyone to join anonymously but still ask questions and provide feedback, the event will be held as a webcast with a question period moderated by the SMRC team. For those who cannot attend the event, we will record it and publish it on our website for those who wish to view it.

The SMRC looks forward to connecting with all members of the Defence Team.

Those interested may register (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website).