16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: What we are doing at Defence
December 21, 2020 – Defence Stories
The Government of Canada and the Defence Team commemorated the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence from November 25 to December 10.
The 16 Days campaign provides an opportunity for us to express our commitment as an organization to ending violence against women, girls, LGBTQ2 (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two Spirit), and gender diverse individuals, and to reflect on the work we are doing within DND to create lasting change in our workplace. Here are some notable developments from this past year.
What we are doing to promote culture change
Through Operation HONOUR, the CAF has taken steps to address sexual misconduct through policies, procedures and programs. In October, the CAF introduced The Path to Dignity and Respect: The CAF Sexual Misconduct Response Strategy to take Operation HONOUR to the next level. The Path is a comprehensive culture change strategy designed to prevent and address sexual misconduct by aligning behaviours and attitudes of members with the principles and values of the profession of arms.
The CAF also recently released a unified policy on sexual misconduct that incorporates all related policy elements in one document, providing a single source for definitions, requirements and responsibilities. Titled DAOD 9005-1, Sexual Misconduct Response, this policy promotes shared understanding of sexual misconduct, establishes a framework for holding people accountable and ensures that those affected get the support they need.
While both of these initiatives are developed specifically for the CAF, they benefit the entire Defence Team by fostering a positive work environment founded on mutual trust, respect and dignity.
What we are doing to support affected persons
Supporting affected persons is central to our efforts to address sexual misconduct. The Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC) is a recognized centre of expertise that provides confidential 24/7 support services to CAF members who are and/or have been affected by sexual misconduct. Throughout this past year, the SMRC continued to develop and deliver its Response and Support Coordination Program, which was introduced in 2019. In the new fiscal year, the SMRC is planning for expansion of access to in-person services across the country, through the establishment of regional centres.
As part of Canada’s overall commitment to responding to gender-based violence, as encapsulated in the Federal Strategy It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, the SMRC also launched the Sexual Assault Centre Contribution Program (SACCP) this year. This program provides financial support to civilian not-for-profit sexual assault centres that are providing a full range of victim and survivor support services and are located near the ten bases or wings with the largest CAF populations.
Gender-based violence affects our military families as well. CFMWS supports local Military Family Resources Centers to provide programs and services to prevent and address GBV and family violence, and runs a national campaign to promote Healthy Relationships. Through the Family Information Line, CFMWS provides 24/7, free and confidential support to military families, on a range of issues, including family violence.
What we are doing to promote healing
In May 2020, the claims period opened for CAF-DND Sexual Misconduct Class Action Settlement, which offers individuals who experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault or discrimination based on their sex, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation in a CAF-DND workplace an opportunity to make a confidential claim for financial compensation and participate in a Restorative Engagement Program. It is our hope that this settlement will help bring closure, healing and acknowledgement to those who have been harmed. The settlement is also an important part of culture change efforts underway across the department.
The Restorative Engagement Program is a key part of the settlement. The purpose of restorative engagement is to create a safe space to allow class members’ lived experiences of sexual misconduct to be heard, responded to, and acknowledged by DND/CAF. The program will contribute to culture change within the military workplace by increasing awareness and understanding of the experiences of class members and the context within which harm has occurred and will begin the process of restoring the relationship between class members and the CAF and DND. The SMRC and the Integrated Complaint and Conflict Management Program, in consultation with stakeholders and subject matter experts, will use their respective expertise to develop, implement and deliver the program.