Sexual Misconduct Response Centre - Status Report - Future Initiatives and Critical Considerations
Focus on the Evolving Operational Model
The SMRC is committed to reaching its final operating model by July 2017. As such, the final half of 2016 will be critical for the continued planning, development and implementation of a mature service model. The SMRC opened quickly and progress has been made in stabilizing the organization with the staffing of qualified counsellors. Further consultation and review is required to ensure it provides the full range of services to meet the needs of CAF members.
The SMRC will undertake two initiatives over the next reporting period. First, SMRC will spearhead a working group designed to fully develop and explore the way ahead on key elements of its service delivery model. The SMRC will then use its new governance bodies, the internally focussed CFPMC and the new External Advisory Council to obtain advice and guidance on evolving its operational model and on leading practices to implement in the Centre. These resulting recommendations and the associated financial and resource implications will be brought to the Deputy Minister for decision.
The following are some key elements that will be subject of future considerations and consultation.
Mandated Services
Given the issues identified with the harassment complaint process in the CAF, the SMRC will establish expertise on the issue of sexual harassment. Still at the early stages of conceptualization, this unit will be a dedicated resource for potential complainants as well as members of the chain of command to discuss available options, provide advice and assistance as well as track progress.
Operational Model
The SMRC will assess the operational impact of providing increased hours of operation beyond its current schedule (07:00 am to 20:00 EST) and consider expanding the SMRC clientele as well as the feasibility of decentralized SMRC points of service. All of these elements will be explored and further refined by a working group.
By the end of August 2016, the organization will move to a new location that will give SMRC a larger space and provide a more separate and restricted operational zone for the counsellors. This will allow the SMRC military liaison team to be housed in the Centre as it will ensure that they are separated physically and functionally from the civilian counsellors providing confidential services.
Overall Communications and Outreach Strategy
The SMRC will continue to broaden its outreach efforts. To be effective, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, wherever they work – on bases, on domestic or overseas operations, in reserve units – and in all environments, must know how to access SMRC should they need its services. Likewise, the chain of command needs to be aware of the services and have sufficient trust both to direct their members to SMRC if required and to obtain guidance themselves, should they need it in dealing with a situation under their command. To achieve these results, the SMRC will be making concerted efforts to visit additional locations across Canada to conduct town halls with CAF members and briefings to as many command teams as possible.
The number one communication challenge for SMRC is awareness: awareness of the Centre, of its availability to CAF members, the expertise of its professional staff and their network of internal and external services and partners. Townhalls at Bases/Wings allow direct exchanges with CAF members and prove to be efficient in achieving the aim of raising awareness. The SMRC will work with the CAF on resuming its visits and briefings to members at various locations across the country in the fall of 2016. The SMRC will make itself more visible to its internal and external audiences by further developing short and long-term strategies that will focus on printed products, web presence, including social media as well as outreach.
Performance Reporting
Performance reporting is critical to determine and evaluate milestones for SMRC, provide updates on progress and realign efforts as necessary. This capability will be enhanced by the new case management system. The SMRC will continue to report on a semi-annual basis as it reaches maturity.