DM/CDS/CAF CWO Message: 2022 Statistics Canada Sexual Misconduct Survey Results
December 5, 2023 - Defence Stories
Defence Team,
We are writing to you to share and address the results of the Statistics Canada 2022 Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), which was released today.
We have released a public statement about the survey results and we encourage you all to take a moment to read it. That said, this survey is about the experiences of our military members and the realities of our workplace, so we also want to take moment to speak to Defence Team members directly.
We’d like to begin by thanking all the CAF members who took the time to share their experiences with us. This survey can evoke a range of strong emotions, and we acknowledge that for many of you, it was probably a difficult survey to complete. The results may also be difficult to hear.
Surveys, like this one, force us to take a hard look in the mirror, and while we are always proud to be a part of this organization, we are profoundly disappointed to see the persistence of sexual misconduct within our ranks. The findings are a stark reminder that, despite our ongoing efforts, there is much more work to be done to create a workplace free of sexual assault, harassment, and discriminatory behaviours.
We acknowledge the frustration and concern these results may evoke. For many of us, it is particularly disheartening to see that despite the implementation of numerous initiatives and recommendations, the issue of sexual misconduct persists in our ranks. However, as we note in our statement, there are some results that suggest we are beginning to make positive headway in a few key areas, such as confidence in reporting some types of issues and perceptions of the organization’s response to incidents when they occur.
We are in the midst of an unprecedented effort to evolve our organizational culture. This work is essential to our success, but it is also complex, takes time, and there is no single solution that will yield immediate results. We remain steadfast in our dedication to creating an environment where every member of the Defence Team feels safe, respected and heard. Surveys like this one give our members an opportunity to share their truth, without fear of repercussion. And rest assured, we are listening closely and we are ready to learn.
In the coming months, we will conduct an in-depth analysis of the survey results to better understand the current scope of the issue and determine where we need to adjust our efforts or to implement a more focused approach. At the same time, we will continue to actively engage with CAF members to gather insights and feedback on the effectiveness of existing initiatives and to identify opportunities for improvement.
As always, ensuring the well-being of our members is our top priority. If you have been directly or indirectly affected by sexual misconduct please consider contacting the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC) 24/7 phone line at 1-844-750-1648 to get support, resources, and information. Members may also file complaints within the Department of National Defence/CAF through their chain of command or Conflict and Complaint Management Services (CCMS) or they can bring their complaint of sexual harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex directly to the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC).
Bill Matthews
Deputy Minister
General Wayne D. Eyre
Chief of the Defence Staff
Chief Warrant OfficerBob McCann
Canadian Armed Forces Chief Warrant Officer