Lead the Transformation of Your Defence Team: Become a Defence representative in the SMSRC's Restorative Engagement Program

January 31, 2023 - Defence Stories

Every Defence Team member contributes to the cultural evolution of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)/Department of National Defence (DND) in their daily work.

You can take part in transforming the Defence community’s response to sexual misconduct by becoming a Defence representative in the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resources Centre (SMSRC)’s Restorative Engagement program.

What is the Restorative Engagement program?

The SMSRC’s Restorative Engagement program provides an opportunity for Defence Team members and members of the CAF/DND Sexual Misconduct Class Action Settlement to address sexual misconduct and become leaders of culture change within the institution. This program focuses on a restorative approach inviting those impacted by sexual misconduct as well as other Defence Team members to contribute to a more respectful and inclusive culture.

Why be a Defence representative?

By participating in the SMSRC’s Restorative Engagement program, you will have the opportunity to develop professional and personal skills such as leading through relationship building, listening and respecting diverse perspectives, learning about complex issues and how to deal with them, working as a team, holding difficult conversations, etc. Overall, you will contribute to the CAF/DND workplace transformation now and throughout your career.

As a member of the Defence team, you will have the opportunity to acknowledge, understand, and learn from class members’ experiences of sexual misconduct during a three-month full-time or a six-month part-time work assignment.

Since the program was launched in November 2021, over 50 Defence representatives have participated and indicated how important and rewarding their experience has been. Here is a testimonial from one of them:

“The words to describe the experience are best articulated by that first class member: “I just want to help restore the CAF to its former glory!” This had a profound effect on me and is indicative of what Restorative Engagement can provide the institution.”

What is participation like?

You will be assigned to a small group of Defence representatives called a cohort that is guided by restorative practitioners. In your cohort, you will learn about restorative approaches and discuss aspects of sexual misconduct. You will typically have the opportunity to meet with class members in sessions facilitated by a restorative practitioner and review class member submissions such as letters, artwork, etc.

Your cohort will meet regularly to discuss issues, impacts, and ideas raised by class members and to identify solutions and create action plans. Finally, your cohort will present and implement these plans to lead positive change in your units or teams. Additional information on your role as Defence representatives (accessible only on the National Defence network) is available online.

Submit your nomination today

Discuss this program with your Chain of Command or supervisor, fill out a nomination form d4792 (accessible only on the National Defence network) and submit it to DR-RD@forces.gc.ca before 20 March 2023 to start participating in April/May 2023. If you are not available at this time, submit your form for a future opportunity. The program is looking for more than 600 Defence representatives over the next few years, so there is room for you!

If you have any questions, please contact the SMSRC’s RE program team at RE-DR@forces.gc.ca or at 1-833-998-2048.