Sexual Misconduct Response Centre - Status Report - Promotion and Outreach
SMRC has a unique mandate of providing support to CAF members affected by sexual misconduct. A sound understanding as to what SMRC has to offer to CAF members is instrumental to individuals reaching out for services designed to meet their needs.
Promotion
While infographics and content were developed for the web and social media, SMRC recognized the need to expand its awareness more widely across CAF. Due to the sensitivity of the issue, the vast territory across which members work and reside, and the fact that formations and units spend a fair amount of time in the field on exercises, SMRC used posters and post cards as more traditional means of communications. To that effect, this spring the Centre designed and distributed approximately 6000 post cards across Canada.
SMRC Postcard: The model is a photograph SMRC postcard. It lists the Centre’s phone number (1-844-750-1648), the website where to obtain more information (Canada.ca/defence-sexual-misconduct-response-centre ) as well as what the counsellors are there to provide:
- We offer compassion
- We listen
- We respect confidentiality
- We explain your options
- We facilitate access to services
- We support your decision
The model features the Operation HONOUR banner at the bottom of the postcard.
Base Visits and Briefings
In May and June 2016, SMRC personnel conducted several townhalls and briefings as indicated in the table below.
| Date |
Location |
Base Visits and Briefings |
|---|---|---|
| 9 March |
Ottawa, ON |
VCDS Chief Warrant Officers Symposium |
| 5-6 May |
Edmonton, AB |
CFB Edmonton Visit – Townhall (All Ranks) |
| CFB Edmonton Visit – 3 Canadian Division Council |
||
| 11 May |
Ottawa. ON |
CAF chaplains and others in the helping professions |
| 11-13 May |
Petawawa, ON |
CFB Petawawa Visit – Townhall (All Ranks) |
| CFB Petawawa Visit – Briefing to Commanders |
||
| 16-17 May |
Kingston, ON |
CFB Kingston Visit – Townhall (All Ranks) |
| CFB Kingston Visit – Briefing to Commanders |
||
| 24-26 May |
Gagetown, NB |
CFB Gagetown Visit – Townhall (All Ranks) |
| CFB Gagetown Visit – Briefing to Commanders |
||
| 30-31 May |
Montreal, QC |
CFB Montreal Visit – Townhall (All Ranks) |
| CFB Montreal Visit – Briefing to Commanders |
||
| 30-31 May |
Valcartier, QC |
CFB Valcartier Visit – Townhall (All Ranks) |
| CFB Valcartier Visit – Briefing to Commanders |
These briefings allowed SMRC to engage directly with over 3500 CAF members and Command teams to raise awareness of the Centre and its services, and receive valuable feedback to inform its future plans. The in-person interactions with CAF members have proven to be beneficial in educating, dispelling myths on certain aspects of sexual misconduct and managing expectations regarding services offered. Just as these sessions are important for members to understand the services of SMRC, the SMRC also receives valuable fee.