DM/CDS Message: Seeking Defence Team members for the Restorative Engagement Program

July 30, 2024 - Defence Stories

Defence Team,

Fostering a safe and respectful workplace for all Defence Team members is a collective responsibility and one of our top priorities. Acknowledging past harms and putting resources in place to support people affected by sexual misconduct is essential to creating a supportive workplace.

We are asking the Defence Team to become part of the solution by making a commitment to continual learning as Defence representatives through the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre’s Restorative Engagement (RE) program. The RE program enables a restorative approach as a response to harm and helps to build an inclusive and respectful culture.

Defence representatives participate in a cohort of 8 people, facilitated by skilled and experienced restorative practitioners. Participants will be actively learning and participating in discussions on the causes, impacts, and systemic nature of sexual misconduct in DND/CAF. The meaningful dialogue amongst cohort members leads to the creation of a plan that lays out concrete actions they commit to taking in their job and unit/team to significantly contribute to culture change.

Participants learn how to challenge their own assumptions and biases about sexual misconduct, learning from, acknowledging, and hearing about the real impacts sexual misconduct has had on affected people (CAF-DND Sexual Misconduct Class Action members or “class members”).

There are new, flexible ways Defence representatives can participate in the program, either full-time or part-time: Ways to participate (accessible only on the National Defence network).

Culture change is about showing up as an organization, as leaders, as employees, and CAF members within this institution to repair trust and actively contribute to positive change within the Defence Team.

We strongly encourage each and everyone of you to learn more about becoming a Defence representative (accessible only on the National Defence network). Talk with your chain of command or manager to get approval and express your interest by email.

Your well-being 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’s (SMSRC) 24/7 phone line at 1-844-750-1648 to get support, resources, and information.