DM/A-CDS message regarding support for persons affected by sexual misconduct

March 22, 2021 - Defence Stories

Team,

We recognize that a number of our Defence Team members are suffering on their own, or wish to have a voice. To those who feel that way, we support you and your right to speak your truth.

We know we have significant work ahead of us, including how we can best support persons affected by sexual misconduct. One area where urgent work is underway is building a more unified and seamless Defence Team approach to deliver that support.

However, in the immediate term, we want to ensure the entire Defence Team is aware of the current ways you can access support if you—or someone who comes to you for assistance— are affected by sexual or other forms of misconduct.

Sexual misconduct is a spectrum and you have a wide range of options available if you choose to seek support, whether one is a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member or a National Defence public service employee (DND).

How or if one chooses to make a disclosure is entirely their choice. Whatever that choice, the Defence Team is prepared to act in support of those who have experienced harm in whatever way we can.

If you are a CAF member and the incident of misconduct involves a CAF member:

• Speak with your Chain of Command or supervisor.
• Call the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC) for confidential advice at 1-844-750-1648. A trained counsellor will take your call, listen to you, discuss the kind of support best-suited to your comfort-level and needs, and help you with any next steps. Please note that the SMRC is totally independent from the CAF chain of command.
• Direct law enforcement option: Contact the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) a specialized unit within the Canadian Forces Military Police Group. Members of the CFNIS undergo specialized training in areas such as sexual assault investigations.

If you are a DND public service employee, or if you are a CAF member and the incident of misconduct involves a public service employee:

• Speak with your Chain of Command or supervisor.
• Contact the DND Designated Recipient Unit directly at:
  DesignatedRecipientHVP-DestinataireDesignedelaPHV@forces.gc.ca, or call 1-833-451-1604 for a secure voicemail box. A representative will call you back at the number of your choosing.
• Contact the Workplace Harassment and Violence Centre of Expertise by calling CCMS at 1-833-328-3351 or email the WHVP Centre of Expertise at WHVPCoE-PHVCE@forces.gc.ca.
• Call the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC) for confidential advice at 1-844-750-1648. A trained counsellor will take your call, listen to you, discuss the kind of support best-suited to your comfort-level and needs, and help you with any next steps. Please note that the SMRC is totally independent from the CAF chain of command.
• Direct law enforcement option: Call your local police service.

Many CAF family members are seeking a first point of contact so they can better support their loved ones.

• The best first point of contact for family members is the Family Information Line (You are now leaving the Government of Canada website) at 1-800-866-4546 (International: 00-800-771-17722). This is a bilingual 24/7 line and offers support, referrals, reassurance and crisis management. Please share this information with any family members you see on social media who are searching for this information.

Please educate yourself about how to offer support.

If a colleague, subordinate, peer or friend makes a disclosure to you about their experience with sexual misconduct, your first priority is to listen and support them. If you don’t know what to say or where to start, begin with compassion, and this overarching guide to help you support someone who has come to you for help.

Additional options for support for CAF members:

• Contact the Chaplains’ office at your closest CAF formation, base, wing or ship.
• Call the CAF Integrated Conflict and Complaint Management Services Centre (ICCM) at 1-833-328-3351. This service helps CAF members submit, track, and resolve complaints regarding inappropriate behaviour that is either experienced or witnessed by CAF members.
• Contact the Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP).
• Speak with your Chain of Command or supervisor.

Additional options for support for public service employees:

• Contact the Health Canada Employee Assistance Services (EAS): 1-800-268-7708 or 1-800-567-5803 (TTY) to access free, confidential short-term professional counselling services for employees and their family members.
• Contact the EAP Peer Advisors: 1-833-747-6363 (1-833-RHR-MDND) to be connected with a readily available colleague who can provide confidential active-listening skills and resources to employees in need.
• LifeSpeak (You are now leaving the Government of Canada website) resource: A web-based service that offers free confidential access to hundreds of short videos by experts on a variety issues, including sexual harassment and violence.
• Speak with your supervisor.

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