Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors Grant Program
The Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC) Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors Grant Program funds projects proposed by community-based service providers to support people in the wider Defence community who have been affected by sexual misconduct.
The SMSRC has assessed grant recipients with the safety and needs of the community in mind, however we cannot guarantee results. We encourage you to contact these services to find out more about what they offer, and to consult with your health care provider(s) or support person(s), to determine if they are a good match for you.
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Program objectives
The SMSRC Grant Program was established to:
- broaden the range of support services available to those in wider Defence community who have been affected by sexual misconduct
- increase the collaboration between community based and Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) service providers
Who can access funded services
Anyone 16 years and older who has been directly or indirectly affected by sexual misconduct and self-identifies as connected to the wider Defence community can access the services funded by the Grant Program free of charge. This includes:
- members of the CAF
- former members of the CAF/Veterans
- current and former DND public service employees
- Cadets
- Junior Canadian Rangers
- family members, supporters, and caregivers of the above individual
It is not necessary to prove that you are connected to the Defence community.
Specialized projects and services
Most funded projects are unique. Some are undertaken by organizations that offer specialized services, for example, for women, men, Indigenous peoples and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.
Visit Funded projects to find brief descriptions of the projects and the funded organizations with links to their websites where you can find information on all their services, where they are, and how to contact them.
Confidentiality and privacy
SMSRC Grant Program funded organizations do not communicate personal information or disclosures of sexual misconduct to the SMSRC, the DND or the CAF. As independent, community-based organizations, they do not have the CAF Duty to Report. Nevertheless, when you contact a service, you may want to discuss confidentiality and disclosure of sexual misconduct before you identify yourself.
Feedback and questions
Please send your feedback and questions about the Grant Program and funded project(s) to SMSRCGrant-SubventionCSRIS@forces.gc.ca, or call the SMSRC confidential 24/7 support line at 1-844-750-1648.
Applying for a grant
The SMSRC calls for applications once a year. Organizations can apply for more than one grant and more than one type of grant. They may also apply each year during the application period.
The Program offers two types of grants: one-time project-based (maximum $50,000) and recurrent (maximum $75,000 annually for up to three years).
Eligibility
Organizations must be Canadian, legally constituted not-for-profit community-based service providers, and possess the legal status necessary to enter into a grant agreement with the Government of Canada.
Organizations must also have the capacity and expertise to provide support to those in the wider Defence community affected by sexual misconduct in the DND/CAF. Those without the capacity or expertise to provide such services will be considered if they propose to build their capacity and expertise through SMSRC Grant Program funding.
Eligible projects
Funding is available for a wide range of projects, initiatives and services supporting those affected by sexual misconduct in the DND/CAF, including:
- providing crisis management and support through supportive listening, information and referrals to hospital, medical or police services;
- conducting research related to the support of those impacted by sexual misconduct in the DND/CAF;
- counselling for individuals and groups to address a range of needs related to sexual misconduct in the DND CAF, including counselling for those who support individuals affected by sexual misconduct in the DND/CAF;
- outreach to Indigenous communities that have been impacted;
- outreach to underserved remote locations;
- support projects tailored to meet the needs of and/or remove barriers for women; men; Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex as well as sexual and gender-diverse people (2SLGBTQI+); First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; Black, Asian and other racialized individuals; people living with disabilities; religious minorities; those living in an official language minority community; those living in northern, rural and remote communities; others with diverse identity factors; and people that cannot access services in person;
- relationship building and work with individuals, community and government organizations for community education;
- support groups including specified and drop-in groups;
- providing information, referrals, accompaniment, or advocacy to assist survivors in the areas of healing, trauma, survivor support, housing, employment, criminal justice, or legal rights and responsibilities;
- developing innovative tools (including virtual) that enable survivors to better access resources.
Evaluation of applications
The Grant Program Team reviews all applications and consults with other SMSRC teams on topics related to their expertise. The Team scores applications numerically; those with the highest scores are recommended for funding to SMSRC executives for approval.
The Team applies evaluation criteria that include:
- experience and expertise
- relevance of the proposed project
- connection to and awareness of the DND/CAF community
- ability to collaborate with the DND/CAF
- the application of Gender Based Analysis Plus
- the application of trauma-informed practices
- proposed budget
Announcement of recipients
The SMSRC announces publishes brief descriptions of the Funded projects and the organizations shortly after all funding agreements have been signed.
Support for funded organizations
As funded organizations start on their projects, the Grant Program Team invites them to view a virtual live presentation on the SMSRC. They introduce the SMSRC teams that work with the Program Team and provide information on sexual misconduct and military sexual trauma. In addition, an SMSRC Military Liaison Officer gives an overview of the CAF, its member services, and the military culture and environment.
The Team also provides an Acknowledgement Requirements guide and links to policy documents such as the Defence Administrative Order and Directive 9005-1 on Sexual Misconduct Response and, to help connect with the Defence community, links to Canadian Armed Forces bases and support units, and Canadian Forces Moral and Welfare Services.
Contact us
For more information, please email the SMSRC's Grant Program Team at SMSRCGrant-SubventionCSRIS@forces.gc.ca.
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