Scenario: Inspection Gone Wrong

Group Size: 4-15

Scenario

Private (Pte) Kelly McLaughlin, a recruit in the Mega building at the Saint-Jean Garrison, is standing in front of her bunk awaiting inspection. The pressure is on as she has had little time to prepare, and she is tired and missing her friends and family back home in Newfoundland. At least this inspection is only a partial one as the locker, where a lot of the kit is held, is to remain closed and locked.

As she is standing to attention, Master Corporal (MCpl) Leblanc starts the inspection and notices that Pte McLaughlin has not locked her locker as the group had been instructed to do the previous evening. In a loud voice, the MCpl asks Pte McLaughlin, “You know what I did to the last girl who forgot to lock her locker?” He goes on to say, in a very vulgar way, that he took her home for the night and had sex with her.    

Pte McLaughlin and her course mates are all shocked and disgusted by the words of the MCpl. They expected that basic training would be tough, but the MCpl’s words obviously crossed a line. As students, they are not sure what they could or should do. They do not want to jeopardize their success on the course by looking like troublemakers. They also do not want to be fearful of sexual harassment when they are trying to focus on being successful in basic training. Another instructor also heard the MCpl’s offensive statement and, shocked by his colleague’s inappropriate behaviour, he is unsure what he should do. They have always had a good working relationship and he does not want to lose that.

Categories

• Principles: Respect the Dignity of all Persons
• Values: Integrity, Courage, Excellence
• Cultural themes: Service, Leadership, Teamwork
• Misconduct types: Sexual Misconduct, Harassment
• GBA Plus themes: Rank, Gender
• Audience: Canadian Armed Forces

Facilitator’s Guide

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the ethical principle of Respect the dignity of all persons in this scenario. 
• Discuss the ethical values of integrity, courage, and excellence in this scenario. 
• Discuss Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members’ “Duty to report” in relation to incidents of sexual misconduct.

Facilitation Questions

1. What is the ethical dilemma in this scenario?  Open group discussion.
   • The ethical dilemma in this scenario is whether to report the MCpl's sexual harassment of Pte McLaughlin or to remain silent for fear of retaliation or losing a good working relationship.
   • Discuss how passing comments like this can lead to as toxic culture within the CAF, and how fear of sexual harassment or assault can lead to CAF members preforming poorly or leaving the forces out of fear.
2. What considerations are at play with respect to Defence Ethics and the CAF ethos? Open group discussion. 
   • Respect the dignity of all persons: Pte McLaughlan has the right to be treated respectfully. The Pte also deserves a workplace free from sexual harassment and assault.
   • Courage: The other instructor in this scenario will need to show courage to speak up about MCpl’s Leblanc’s sexual misconduct. 
     • Note to Facilitator*: The other Privates on course in this scenario could see themselves as an affected person since they could see the comment as a threat. Course mates in this scenario should be treated as an affected person and not a bystander since they are all in the same position. The only bystander here would be the other instructor.
   • How the values of Integrity and Excellence can be also at play in this scenario?
3. What possible courses of action could Pte McLaughlin, her course mates, and the other instructor take in this scenario? Which is the best option for the affected persons and the bystander? Why?
   1. Option 1: Pte McLaughlin, the other courses mates, and/or the bystander could report the incident.  By doing this, they would be showing respect for CAF values, helping to prevent further harm, and promoting a safe and healthy training environment.
   2. Option 2: The other instructor can check in with the affected persons in this scenario and offer their support. 
   3. Option 3: Ignore the incident. This could avoid potential negative effects on the recruits’ training and could avoid a strained relationship for the other instructor with their coworker.  
      • By ignoring the incident, the bystander is contributing to a toxic culture that allows sexual misconduct to persist.
   4. Option 4: Seek advice. Any of the individuals could seek advice on what to do. An Ethics Officer, a Chaplain, someone in the chain of command, or the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre should be able to provide advice and point them to the relevant CAF policies. 
4. Do the bystanders in this scenario have a “duty to report”?
   • Open group discussion. 
   • Discuss the “Duty to report” for any misconduct that is contrary to the values and ethics of the CAF. This includes sexual misconduct, as seen in this scenario, and which is defined as "any behaviour of a sexual nature that is inconsistent with the values and ethics expected of CAF members".  
   • Discuss the 5D bystander intervention strategies. 
   • DAOD 9005-1 states that "sexual misconduct harms individuals, undermines operational effectiveness, and erodes public confidence in the CAF."

*Note to facilitators: Please review DAOD 9005-1: Sexual Misconduct Response and discuss the “duty to report” as it applies to CAF members in relation to this scenario.