Sexual Misconduct Response Centre - Status Report - Support to Canadian Armed Forces Members

The SMRC’s raison d’être is to provide support to CAF members who have been affected by HISB. Sexual misconduct in its various forms can be traumatic for most individuals. Persons affected by sexual misconduct, and depending on the level of trauma, experience obvious difficulty in being able to speak of the incident and its impact. They often contact the Centre more than once before they feel safe and acquire enough confidence to share their experiences. The initial discussion with SMRC counsellors may result in follow-up interaction. Each communication to and from the SMRC are captured as a separate contact.

Table 1 indicates the cumulative totals of individuals since the opening of the Centre, as well as this six month reporting period.

Table 1: Cumulative Number of Individuals who contacted the SMRC (15 September 2015 - 30 June 2016)

Definitions:

• Individuals: persons who communicate with the SMRC by telephone or e-mail.
• Others: persons who identify as not being a CAF member including DND civilian employees, former members, veterans and family members.

Table 2 provides the cumulative number of contacts (incoming and outgoing) since the opening of the centre.

Table 2: Cumulative Number of Contacts with the SMRC (15 September 2015 - 30 June 2016)

Definitions:

• Contact: An interaction between an individual and a SMRC counsellor.
• Note: Given the option to remain anonymous, there may be a margin of error as some individuals may contact the Centre more than once anonymously without advising that they previously contacted the SMRC.

Figure 1 provides information on how members are contacting and interacting with the SM

Figure 1: Mode of Contact – CAF Members (15 September 2015 - 30 June 2016)

The model provides information on how members are contacting and interacting with the SMRC which is by phone and by email. The model shows that 121 contacts (35 from 15 September to 31 December 2015 and 86 from 1 January to 30 June 2016) were received by email and that 371 contacts (151 from 15 September to 31 December 2015 and 220 from 1 January to 30 June 2016) were received by telephone since 15 September 2015.

Reasons of Contact

CAF members contact the SMRC for a variety of reasons relating to sexual misconduct. An individual may have contacted the SMRC for more than one reason. As such the numbers in Table 3 will not add up to the number of CAF members. The members calling may not have directly experienced (or been directly affected) by the incident they are calling about. They may be peers or members of the affected person’s chain of command. The CAF Profile section and associated Table 4 and Figure 2 will further explore the number of directly affected CAF members.

Table 3: Cumulative Reasons of Contact- CAF Members (15 September 2015 - 30 June 2016)

* Information not captured during this time periodNote that each individual may contact SMRC for more than one reason

CAF Profile

As indicated in Table 4 below, from 1 January to 30 June 2016, 204 individuals self-identified as CAF members; 112 are men and 92 are women. Of the 204 CAF members, 68 identified as being directly affected by inappropriate sexual behavior: 55 women and 13 men.

Figure 2 below shows that of the 55 women, 28 contacted the SMRC for an incident related to sexual harassment, 18 to sexual assault and 9 to other inappropriate sexual behavior. Of the 13 men, 6 contacted for an incident related to sexual harassment, 5 to sexual assault and 2 to other inappropriate sexual behavior.

Notwithstanding the fact that the SMRC data demonstrate that a higher percentage of women reported being directly affected by inappropriate sexual behavior and that this may be perceived as a woman’s issue, the SMRC recognizes that both men and women can be victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault (Carol O’Brien, 2015)⁴ (Kimerling, 2007)⁵ and can be perpetrators as well (Berdahl, 2006)⁶ (Dionisi, 2014)⁷

⁴ Carol O’Brien, J. K. (2015). Don’t Tell: Military Culture and Male Rape. Psychological Services, Vol. 12, No. 4, 357–365.

⁵ Kimerling, R. K. (2007). "The Veterans’ Health Administration and Military Sexual Trauma." American Journal of Public Health, 2160-2166.

⁶ Berdahl, J. L. (2006). Workplace harassment: Double-jeopardy for minority women. Journal of Applied Psychology, 426–436.

⁷ Dionisi, A. M. (2014, July). Vicarious Exposure to Male Sexual Harassment: Correlates, Perceived Motives and Ethical Evaluations & Behavioral Responses. 154. Kingston, Ontario, Canada: Queen's University.

Table 4: Canadian Armed Forces Profile: The model is divided in two: 1st reporting period and 2nd reporting period. The model shows that from 15 September to 31 December (1st Reporting Period), a total of 156 individuals self-identified as CAF members; 67 men, 88 women and 1 unknown. From 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016 (2nd reporting period), 204 individuals self-identified as CAF members; 112 men and 92 women. In a separate box, of the 204 CAF members, 68 identified as being directly affected by inappropriate sexual behavior in the last six months: 55 women and 13 men.

Note: Unable to extract number of members directly affected by inappropriate sexual behaviour during this initial period.

Figure 2: Reasons of Contact – Directly Affected CAF Members: The model, placed right below Table 4, shows that of the 55 women, 28 contacted the SMRC for an incident related to sexual harassment, 18 to sexual assault and 9 to other inappropriate sexual behavior. Of the 13 men, 6 contacted for an incident related to sexual harassment, 5 to sexual assault and 2 to other inappropriate sexual behavior.

Assistance to the Chain of Command

Of the 204 members who contacted SMRC during the current reporting period, 65 were members of the chain of command who were either seeking information on available internal and external services, and/or looking for input on how to support their members who have approached them directly. This engagement is positive and seen as an enhanced interest on the part of the chain of command in seeking information and, in some cases, additional tools and resources to assist their members. In some situations, members of the chain of command have requested to speak with the MPLO for information regarding alleged sexual offences.

The SMRC provides a number of options for the chain of command. First, counsellors can provide them with information and guidance on how to respond to sexual trauma and offer the best possible support to members who come to them directly for assistance with inappropriate sexual behavior. They, in turn, are being supported by using the SMRC as a sounding board, and in a confidential manner. Members of the chain of command can also refer their members to SMRC for additional support. It is important to note that the SMRC will not, at any point in time, inform or confirm to a chain of command that a member has contacted the Centre. Everyone’s privacy and confidentiality is respected at all times. A few of the 65 members of the chain of command who contacted the SMRC provided general information about situations involving inappropriate sexual behavior that they have had to address. This was done in an effort to increase the understanding and awareness of inappropriate sexual behavior in the CAF. This feedback enhances SMRC’s ability to capture issues and trends, and to inform the CAF on problem areas or best practices.