Restorative Engagement program
The Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre's (SMSRC) Restorative Engagement (RE) program provides flexible options for members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)-Department of National Defence (DND) Sexual Misconduct Class Action Settlement to share their experiences, impacts, and insights related to sexual misconduct in the CAF and DND.
The SMSRC continues to contact all class members of the CAF-DND Sexual Misconduct Class Action who expressed interest in the Restorative Engagement program, by email or phone, as we were not able to reach all class members before the end of 2023. This will allow class members to confirm if they are still interested or if they need more information. For class members who are not sure that they expressed interest on their claim form or need to update their contact information, please contact the Claims Administrator. We look forward to onboarding more class members. For any questions regarding the program, please email us at RE-DR@forces.gc.ca or call the SMSRC’s 24/7 line at 1-844-750-1648.
On this page
About the Restorative Engagement program
The RE program was mandated through the Canadian Armed Forces-Department of National Defence Sexual Misconduct Class Action Final Settlement. The program was designed and developed by the SMSRC.
The program creates opportunities and environments:
- for class members to share their experience, knowledge and understanding of sexual misconduct and its causes and impacts with Defence representatives;
- for Defence representatives to acknowledge, accept, understand and learn from class members’ experiences of sexual misconduct and to take responsibility, individually and collectively, for its causes and impacts;
- for Defence representatives to identify lessons learned and to plan and act to contribute to DND/CAF culture change;
- in which DND/CAF learns about and builds its capacity to apply a restorative approach as a response to harm and as a way to build an inclusive and respectful culture.
Program development and implementation
A dedicated RE program team within the SMSRC designed and developed the program in collaboration with:
- subject matter experts in restorative approaches, trauma, sexual misconduct, military norms, culture and conflict resolution;
- stakeholders including individuals who experienced sexual misconduct in the Defence workplace.
We began by consulting with the community we serve, on what they needed in a restorative engagement program. We officially launched the RE program in its initial operating capability (IOC) on November 15, 2021. The program contacted a small group of class members to participate. In January 2022, the first groups of Defence representatives began working in cohorts with restorative practitioners to develop the knowledge and skills needed to engage with class members and translate what they learned into meaningful action for culture change. The program has continued to bring together Defence representatives to meet the CMs needs for engagements and to learn from them, and the activities are expected to continue into 2026.
Program team
The RE program team is composed of the following:
- Director of RE: reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer of the SMSRC
- Deputy Director: responsible for integrated human resources, business and financial planning and priorities for the program, and strategic support to the RE Director.
- Manager of Program Design and Development: responsible for program design, the development of program content including protocols, tools and practice frameworks while ensuring that the program is in line with the restorative approach.
- Manager of Learning and Culture Change: responsible for research, evaluation, and learning on the program.
- Manager of Operations (two): responsible for implementing the program
- Regional Program Coordinators: oversee Restorative Practitioners and Intake Officers.
- Restorative practitioners: responsible for facilitating participation of Defence representatives and class members in the program. More information on their role is provided on this page.
- Intake Officers: make first contact with class members.
- Regional Program Coordinators: oversee Restorative Practitioners and Intake Officers.
Each regional program coordinator has a positional mailbox:
- Atlantic (NL, NB, NS, PEI): REatlantic-DRatlantique@forces.gc.ca
- Eastern (QC, NCR and International): REeast-DRest@forces.gc.ca
- Central ON excluding NCR: REcentral-DRcentrale@forces.gc.ca
- Prairies/North (MB, SK, AB, NT, NU): REwest-DRouest@forces.gc.ca
- Pacific/North (BC, YK): REpacific-DRpacifique@forces.gc.ca
A restorative approach to justice
The RE program applies a restorative approach to help CAF/DND to contribute to culture change.
Principles of a restorative approach
Focused on relations
Puts people and their relationships, to one another, between groups and with institutions, at the centre. A restorative approach places the emphasis on addressing harm and establishing or re-establishing justice and trust in relationships (this means characterized by mutual dignity, respect, care and concern).
Comprehensive and holistic
Works in integrated ways and looks for the connections between issues, causes, circumstances, and culture.
Inclusive and participatory
Including and empowering those with lived experience, being open and transparent with them about options and limitations, honouring choices for how they would like to participate, and removing barriers to access.
Responsive
Being flexible and adaptable in all of our work so as to be responsive to participants’ needs, objectives, and circumstances and the context within which the program exists.
Focused on individual and collective responsibility
Pays attention to the ways in which the system affects individuals and the ways in which individuals affect the system. Defence representatives take responsibility for change in their daily roles and also work with each other and the institution to address structural factors that contribute to harm.
Collaborative and non-adversarial
Looks at bringing people into the process and working towards a common goal rather than working against one another.
Safety and confidentiality
The SMSRC Restorative Engagement (RE) program does not facilitate communication between individuals affected and those who affected them. Instead, it involves representatives of the institution in which the harm occurred. The program also provides support services and resources to participants.
RE is confidential as participation in, and information shared within the program are confidential, within legal limitations. If you choose to share your experience(s), you may do so anonymously. This sharing can take many different forms and will only be submitted with your consent. All personal information is handled in accordance with the Privacy Act.
The RE program is outside the CAF chain of command and the investigation process. Participation in the program is not part of any administrative, disciplinary or criminal process.
Exception to the Duty to Report
An exception to the Duty to Report is in effect “in the context of a restorative engagement program”.
This exception ensures that CAF members who are Defence representatives are not put in a position by the Duty to Report to report an incident of wrongdoing against the wishes of the class member.
Class members who are or were DND public service employees are not bound by the CAF Duty to Report.
Read the May 25, 2022 News Release announcing this exception.
Class members
The RE program does not facilitate communication between class members and those who directly harmed them.
What to expect
There are different ways in which class members may share their experiences and insights related to sexual misconduct.
As part of RE, class members may choose to share with a Defence representative:
- as much or as little as they would like about their personal experience(s) of sexual misconduct, such as:
- the harm they suffered
- how it was, or was not, responded to
- the impact it had on their life
- their thoughts and knowledge about the causes of sexual misconduct and what needs to change to better respond to it and prevent it
Class members may choose to share:
- In a group setting with:
- other class members
- class members and Defence representatives
- Individually:
- with a Defence representative (in-person, virtually, by phone) and may include support person(s)
- by submitting audio recordings, videos, letters, statements or artwork to be shared with Defence representatives or the institution, with, or without, requiring a response
Restorative practitioners facilitate communications with class members and help them prepare through individual sessions before engagements. Class members are in control of the information they provide and what they choose to share.
Phases of the Restorative Engagement process
Phase 1
Class members meet with restorative practitioners and learn more about the:
- program;
- purpose;
- approach;
- limits;
- options for participation.
Restorative practitioners will also facilitate class members to:
- determine if the program can meet their goals and objectives;
- make an informed decision about whether or not they want to participate;
- explore what supports they might need during engagements;
- ensure they are connected with resources for support, if needed.
Class members will not be asked to share their sexual misconduct experience.
Phase 2
In this phase, restorative practitioners will guide class members to:
- identify their objectives for the engagement process
- decide what experiences, knowledge and/or insights they want to share and how
- prepare themselves to engage with Defence representatives
Class members may choose to participate in different ways, for different purposes and their engagement overall can include different process options.
Phase 3
In this phase, class members will be invited to:
- summarize their process
- share their feedback
- reflect on next steps, and discuss their expectations regarding maintaining a connection with the program
Class member updates
Read the latest updates sent to class members who have expressed an interest to participate in the Restorative Engagement program.
Defence representatives
Defence representatives are CAF members and DND public service employees. Their work in the program is to first acknowledge and learn from the experiences and insights of those who have been harmed by sexual misconduct. Then, they plan and prepare to take meaningful action to contribute to culture change.
Defence representatives commit to:
- listening with an open mind and considering multiple and conflicting perspectives
- participating actively in reflective learning activities
- learning to engage restoratively and without causing harm
- carrying what they learn forward into their career within the institution
- contributing to preventing sexual misconduct in the Defence Team and culture change beyond their time in this program
Defence representatives participate in cohorts of 6 to 8 CAF members and DND public service employees of diverse professions, backgrounds, and identify factors. There are new flexible ways they can participate in the program.
|
Option 1 |
Option 2 |
Option 3 |
Option 4 |
Defence representative Alumni Community |
Who can participate? |
CAF members and DND public service employees of all ranks and levels in cohorts of 6 to 8 people |
CAF members and DND public service employees of all ranks and levels in cohorts of 6 to 8 people |
Colonels/Captains(N), Lieutenant-Colonels /Commanders, Chief Warrant Officers/Chief Petty Officers 1st class, EX-01s, EXs minus 1 and middle managers (e.g., AS-08, EC-07, AS-07 and equivalent) in cohorts of 6 to 8 people |
Generals and Flag Officers, EX-02s and up in cohorts of 6 to 8 people |
All former Defence representatives |
When does it start? |
May 2024 |
June 2024 |
June 2024 |
June 2024 |
Launched in February 2024 |
How long is it for and what is the frequency? |
8 weeks full-time |
2 weeks full-time at beginning, 5 to 6 months of intermittent participation and concluding with 2 weeks full-time |
6 to 8 months of intermittent participation |
12 months of intermittent participation |
As needed for class member engagements individually or in cohorts |
How will my time be managed? |
Phase 1: Phase 2: Phase 3: |
Phase 1: Phase 2: Phase 3: |
Phase 1: Phase 2: Phase 3: |
Phase 1: Phase 2: Phase 3: |
Phase 1: Phase 2: Phase 3: |
Where is it? |
Virtual with possibility of traveling for class member engagements |
Virtual with possibility of traveling for class member engagements |
Virtual with possibility of traveling for class member engagements |
Virtual with possibility of traveling for class member engagements |
Virtual with possibility of traveling for class member engagements |
Cohort work is facilitated by restorative practitioners. Defence representatives are essential agents of culture change that class members expect will occur through RE. To this end, Defence representative participation in the program has been carefully designed, using a restorative approach, to maximize Defence representative learning, planning and action, in real time.
Defence representatives may engage with class members. Engagement sessions are one of several ways of learning in this program about sexual misconduct; they will have many opportunities to learn from class members’ experiences throughout the program (readings, videos, CM submissions, etc.).
Engagement sessions with class members are facilitated by restorative practitioners and may be in-person, virtual or indirect, as an individual or in a group.
For more information and to send in a nomination to become a Defence representative, visit the Defence Team Intranet page.
The Defence leadership’s role
Members of the CAF chain of command and DND executives and management support implementation of the program by:
- promoting the recruitment of Defence representatives
- encouraging potential Defence representatives to take part by nominating them and by self-nominating to join a cohort
- providing Defence representatives with a confidential workplace and equipment
- ensuring that Defence representatives are not tasked with other duties during their participation in the program
- engaging with Defence representatives about what they’ve learned through the program, how they plan to take that forward in their career and into their workplace, and what they need from leadership to support their efforts in culture change
Restorative practitioners
Restorative practitioners are DND public service employees. They do not have a Duty to Report and are independent from the CAF chain of command.
It is important to note that the role of restorative practitioners is not to provide counseling and support but to serve as facilitators. They assist CMs and DRs in participating in the program and connect them to support services and resources.
Working with Defence representatives
Restorative practitioners are assigned to facilitate each cohort of Defence representatives. They facilitate reflection, dialogue, learning, understanding, skills building, preparation, and planning for action. These cohort activities enable Defence representatives to identify lessons learned about sexual misconduct, develop restorative leadership skills, and build capacity for change.
Working with class members
One restorative practitioner is assigned to each class member to facilitate their participation in the program, including introducing the program (purpose, approach, and options); coordinating, preparing, and facilitating class member engagements with Defence representatives; bringing closure to their participation and referring to other programs and services as needed.
Support services and resources
Participating in the program can be very rewarding, and it can bring up difficult emotions. The restorative practitioner(s) assigned to you will facilitate you through the process and can connect you to other support services and resources, depending on your needs.
At any time, you can contact the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre’s 24/7 confidential support line (1-844-750-1648) to reach a counsellor who has been briefed on the RE program. They can provide support and connect class members, Defence Team members and restorative practitioners to support services.
Support can also come from a designated person that can be present during all stages of participation. Defence representatives can also reach out to other members of their cohort or to their management for support.
Information sessions
Attend an information session to learn more about what to expect as a class member or as a future Defence representative.
Send us feedback
As a participant in the RE program, you may raise your concerns, complaints, or feedback regarding your participation, such as:
- program services, including those provided by a specific staff member (for example, a restorative practitioner or a regional program coordinator);
- program mandate and operations;
- program information and communications activities;
- reporting and information management.
When we receive complaints, we will attempt to resolve them at the lowest level possible, to support timeliness in resolution. If your concerns have not been resolved to your satisfaction, you have a right of review which means that your complaint can be escalated to the next level of authority for a review of the circumstances and a resolution.
A written submission is preferred, and can be submitted to:
- The relevant regional positional mailbox
- The national RE positional mailbox: RE-DR@forces.gc.ca
- Via regular mail with the complainant’s contact information at:
ATTN: Restorative Engagement Program
Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre
101 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2
We will acknowledge receipt of a complaint sent electronically within two business days. If your complaint is sent by mail, it may take longer than two business days depending on when we receive it. We will ensure that the complaint is sent to the appropriate person. Your complaint will be responded to within 30 business days.
Our response will include the name, role and contact information of who the complaint can be further elevated to if the complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction.
For more information
Call us or send us an email if you still have questions about the Restorative Engagement program:
Toll-free: 1-833-998-2048
Email: RE-DR@forces.gc.ca
Note: All calls to the Restorative Engagement program toll-free number are automatically transferred to the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre’s 24/7 line, where a counsellor can speak with you about Restorative Engagement and other support services and resources available.
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