Sexual Misconduct Response Centre - Status Report - Key Accomplishments: What Has Been Done
Hours of Operation
During this reporting period, the SMRC expanded its hours of operation to 07:00 - 20:00 EST Monday to Friday EST to improve CAF members’ access to SMRC services across the five time zones in Canada. CAF members deployed on operations internationally can access SMRC services by e-mails and through designated phone numbers available within their area and SMRC also accepts collect calls.
Supportive Counselling
During this reporting period, the SMRC has solidified the counselling framework in consultation with key partners including Canadian Forces Health Services. The impact of sexual trauma amongst other realities can make it extremely challenging for someone to know what to do, what questions to ask or who to trust. SMRC counsellors recognize the complexity of sexual trauma reactions and have the competencies to respond appropriately.
Individuals contacting the SMRC have direct access to bilingual, professional counsellors who are experienced in working with people affected by sexual trauma and possess a level of knowledge of the CAF. The fact that members can remain anonymous when they contact the SMRC has contributed to creating a safe environment. Counsellors’ ability in establishing trust is evidenced by the number of individuals who were initially hesitant to provide information about themselves or their experiences and who, over time, sometimes days, sometimes weeks, make the decision to once again reach out to the SMRC for support.
The counsellors provide initial supportive counselling to currently serving members by phone or e-mail. Supportive counselling is defined in this context as confidential, active and empathetic listening, with the ability to assess for immediate needs and crisis intervention. The counsellors recognize the significance of validating emotions, and acknowledging individual strengths and coping strategies. The SMRC believes in the importance of individual empowerment through informed decision making.
Respecting members’ decisions, regardless of what they chose to do at the time of the incident, what they choose to do now or in the future, and recognizing that the choices are theirs to make are integral to the client-centered approach used by SMRC counsellors. Members can contact the SMRC as many times as they need in order to meet individual support needs.
Facilitated Access
The confidentiality protocol allows individuals contacting the SMRC to receive the information, support, and validation needed to empower them to take the next step without triggering a formal report. For some, after being heard by another person for the first time, they are ready to respond to the information given and to access support services in their area and, for those who choose to do so, to make a formal complaint to the Military Police.
Some members identify barriers, discussed under the rubric Issues and Trends, which may preclude them from reaching out to the many services already available within the CAF. Supportive counselling has been instrumental in alleviating some of those barriers. SMRC has established points of contact with key internal service providers and with the member’s consent, the counsellors can facilitate access through a live call transfer to the Military Police/Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, Canadian Forces Health Services, Canadian Forces Chaplains and Veterans Affairs Canada. The establishment of these partnerships are crucial to ensure that the SMRC is equipped to facilitate members’ access to available services.
Military Police Liaison Officer
Managing waves of emotions while navigating issues involved in reporting an alleged sexual assault can be daunting. It can be particularly intimidating for members who have experienced such a traumatic incident in the very environment where they should feel the safest.
From its inception, the SMRC was assigned a Military Police Liaison Officer (MPLO) which formalized the partnership with the Military Police/Canadian Forces National Investigation Service and provides a single point of contact for SMRC counsellors. The MPLO is trained in trauma informed policing and very experienced in conducting sexual assault investigations.
Some members request that counsellors provide assistance in accessing services. Individuals can choose to speak with the MPLO even anonymously via a live call transfer which, upon the member’s request, can be facilitated by the counsellors. The MPLO readily answers questions on the investigation process, the military criminal justice process, individuals’ rights as well as what can be expected if they choose to make a formal complaint. With the knowledge of available options and the formal complaint process, the SMRC and the MPLO help individuals to make informed decisions and have realistic expectations of potential outcomes and timelines. The success of SMRC’s partnership with the MPLO is largely the result of a shared commitment to work together in addressing barriers to CAF members reporting incidents of sexual misconduct. The benefits of this relationship for CAF members affected by sexual misconduct are demonstrated time and time again.
From 15 September to 31 December 2015, the SMRC facilitated access, with the member’s consent, to the MPLO for 23 individuals which resulted in 6 police investigations during that reporting period.
From 1 January to 30 June 2016, 31 CAF members were provided with facilitated access to the MPLO which prompted 18 police investigations.
A total of 24 police investigations were launched as a result of SMRC’s facilitated access – cases which otherwise may not have been reported.
Networks
The SMRC has also worked with other internal partners including the Canadian Forces Health Services and the Canadian Forces Chaplaincy Branch, to develop service protocols in order to establish reciprocal relationships and improve system navigation for members. In addition, the Centre reached out to external partners such as the Canadian Armed Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP), Family Information Line (FIL) and several sexual assault centres in various regions.
The SMRC continues to refine, expand and develop its inventory of resources and organizations that can provide immediate face-to-face assistance to victims of sexual assault and other inappropriate sexual behaviors. These services include regional rape crisis centres, emergency shelter services, hospitals that perform Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations (SAFE)8, among others. These partnerships and the regular updating of the inventory are critical to assisting CAF members.
8A SAFE is a sexual assault forensic exam conducted by a specialized nurse or medical doctor to collect possible DNA and other physical evidence associated with a sexual assault and to provide important medical care.