Scenario: Mooning the Crowd

Group Size: 4-15

Scenario

Warrant Officer (WO) Singh was attending a unit baseball game with colleagues when they saw something that shocked and disgusted them. One of the players from the opposing team decided to celebrate their home run by “mooning” the crowd.  In other words, they pulled down their pants and exposed their buttocks while running across the field. They were clearly mocking the other team and showing disrespect. WO Singh felt angry by this insulting and indecent act, especially at a military event.

While many people around WO Singh were laughing at the prank, WO Singh did not laugh.  They felt that the “mooning” was not merely a harmless prank. WO Singh felt that the culprit should be held accountable for their actions. On the other hand, WO Singh was not sure if their military colleagues would find them overly sensitive and weak if they made a complaint.

Categories

• Principles: Respect the Dignity of All Persons 
• Values: Integrity, Courage, Loyalty, Excellence
• Cultural themes: Service, Leadership 
• Misconduct types: Sexual Misconduct
• GBA Plus themes: Not Specific 
• Audience: Canadian Armed Forces

Facilitator’s Guide

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the ethical principle of Respect the dignity of all persons in relation to this scenario.
• Discuss the ethical values of integrity, loyalty, courage, and excellence in relation to this scenario. 

Facilitation Questions

1. What is the ethical dilemma in this scenario?
   • Open group discussion.
   • The ethical dilemma in this scenario is whether WO Singh should report the player who "mooned" the crowd or not. There should be a focus on impact versus intent of the act.
   • On one hand, WO Singh thinks that the player's behavior was rude and offensive, and that they should face some consequences.
   • On the other hand, WO Singh worries that their colleagues might judge them for being too serious and uptight.
2. What considerations are at play with respect to the Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) code of values and ethics?
   • Open group discussion.
   • “Respect the Dignity of all Persons”: WO Singh has the right to be treated respectfully, even when work events are outside of the office.
   • Courage: WO Singh will need to show courage to make a complaint regarding the action of the “mooner,” regardless of what their colleagues may think.
   • Leadership: WO Singh has an opportunity to show leadership in this situation by not accepting this form of sexual misconduct and by acting on it. Although some of their colleagues laughed at the prank, accepting any form of sexual misconduct as normal, including indecent exposure in this scenario, threatens the well-bring of CAF members.
3. What possible courses of action could WO Singh take in this scenario? Which is the best option? Why?
   • Option 1: WO Singh could report this incidence of sexual misconduct. The effects of this make it clear to the “mooner,” and their colleagues, that this is unacceptable behaviour. On the other hand, as WO Singh worries, their colleagues may find them overly sensitive.  Many saw the inappropriate behaviour. WO Singh is not the only affected person and may find others who want to report.
   • Option 2: Ignore the incident. WO Singh could just forget what happened. Many colleagues laughed at the prank and perhaps WO Singh should not make a big deal of it. 
   • Option 3: Seek advice. WO Singh could speak to their unit’s ethics officer or reach out to the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre to better understand if this incident constitutes sexual misconduct.

Note: Indecent exposure is included in the spectrum of sexual misconduct, and therefore, CAF members would have a “duty to report” in this situation.

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

- here is a chance that gender (although not mentioned for any people within this scenario) will be brought up or insinuated in this activity. Try to steer the participants away from stereotypes or biases based on gender, and focus on the act, and the impact it had on WO Singh.