Sexual Misconduct Response Centre - Status Report - Background

Introduction

As observed in media reports in the last several months, sexual misconduct is a social issue and its impact is widespread. Whether it is in various uniformed services, on college and university campuses or in different trades, businesses or workplaces, the prevalence of sexual violence and harassment in society is irrefutable – and also unacceptable. Over the past year, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), in response to the Report from the External Review Authority¹ and in partnership with the Department of National Defence, has taken unprecedented action to challenge attitudes, behaviours and myths that normalize sexual violence and harassment.

The SMRC officially became operational on 15 September 2015 as one of the key elements of the CAF’s Operation HONOUR, an organization-wide initiative launched by the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) on 20 August 2015 in an effort to eliminate inappropriate sexual behaviour (ISB)². The opening of the SMRC was fast-tracked and given the mandate to provide support to CAF members who have experienced or been affected by inappropriate sexual behavior.

The SMRC provides initial confidential support by phone or e-mail, in the form of supportive counselling, information on existing resources and procedures, and facilitated access to services through a robust network of internal and external partners. While complementary to other services available within the CAF, the SMRC’s uniqueness is in its focus on the provision of supportive counselling exclusively in the realm of sexual misconduct, and provides members with the option of anonymity and total confidentiality without the requirement to report to the chain of command or the Military Police. The SMRC provides a conduit for members to access additional support or information for those who may never have accessed other available services due to variety of actual or perceived barriers.

Also referred to in this report as “the Centre”, the SMRC has been established as part of the overall response of the CAF to tackle the issue of sexual misconduct within its ranks. It is a dedicated resource primarily designed to support victims³, but also called upon by the chain of command and bystanders seeking advice and guidance related to sexual misconduct in utmost confidentiality. Set-up quickly as a support centre to respond to the needs of CAF members, the SMRC is committed to reach maturity by July 2017.

While this report to the Deputy Minister focuses on its activities from 1 January through 30 June 2016, it also provides numbers as previously reported for the period of 15 September to 31 December 2015. For the current reporting period, this report provides information on the SMRC support services to CAF members, key accomplishments related to victim support initiatives, developments on the operational model of the Centre and its activities related to ensuring that its services are known to members. This report will also outline future initiatives and critical considerations in determining the SMRC’s operations at maturity.

¹ Former Chief Justice Marie Deschamps was given the mandate to examine CAF policies, procedures and programs in relation to sexual harassment and sexual assault, including the effectiveness with which these policies are currently being implemented. The Report was released on 30 April 2015.

² Inappropriate sexual behavior includes but is not limited to actions that perpetuate stereotypes and modes of thinking that devalue members on the basis of their sex, sexuality or sexual orientation; unacceptable language or jokes; accessing, distributing or publishing in the workplace material of a sexual nature; offensive sexual remarks; exploitation of power relationships for the purpose of sexual activity; unwelcome requests of a sexual nature; or verbal abuse of a sexual nature; publication of an intimate image of a person without their consent, voyeurism, indecent acts, sexual interference, sexual exploitation, and sexual assault.

³ Understanding that “victim” is an imperfect term for those who do not identify as such, or prefer the term “survivor”, “victim” is used in this report in the broadest sense to refer to individuals who have been the targets of and/or directly experienced ISB. It includes those who have made the initial contact to discuss their experience through to those of reported sexual assaults.