Support services

The Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC) provides support services to people directly or indirectly affected by sexual misconduct, including:

• members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
• former members of the CAF/Veterans
• current and former Department of National Defence (DND) public service employees
• Cadets, 16 years and older
• Junior Canadian Rangers, 16 years and older
• family members of the above, 16 years and older
• members of the Defence community and caregivers who support people affected

For bilingual and confidential support, information, guidance on how to support others, and referrals to care and service providers, you can contact us toll-free 24/7 at 1-844-750-1648.

Our support services are confidential within prescribed legal limits.

On this page

• When you call us
• Health Canada’s Employee Assistance Program partnership
• Initial support
• Referrals
• Reporting sexual misconduct
• Continuing support and assistance
• Guidance and information for leaders
• Contact the SMSRC

When you call us

7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET

During these hours, one of our counsellors will answer your call in the official language of your choice.

They will:

• listen with compassion
• focus on your unique situation and needs
• describe options available to you so you can make well-informed choices
• explain how the SMSRC can help you and your colleagues, units or teams
• facilitate referrals to CAF, DND, provincial, territorial and community-based resources and caregiving institutions

9 p.m. to 7 a.m. ET

Overnight, you have two options when calling the SMSRC support line:

• You may choose to leave a confidential voicemail, and an SMSRC counsellor will follow up with you the next day or when it is most convenient for you, or
• Your call can be transferred to a qualified mental health professional from Health Canada’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for immediate assistance.

Health Canada’s EAP professionals are trained in trauma-informed care, come from diverse backgrounds, and are experienced in supporting individuals from a wide range of communities.

If your situation requires specialized support related to sexual misconduct or military sexual trauma, a secure and confidential referral process ensures that an SMSRC counsellor will follow up with you the next day.

This partnership allows us to maintain 24/7 access to support while ensuring that overnight callers receive timely and expert care.

Health Canada’s Employee Assistance Program partnership

Health Canada’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a trusted federal partner with more than 30 years of experience providing confidential, trauma-informed mental health and wellness support to public servants and their families. This partnership supports our goal of enhancing service delivery while upholding the compassion, confidentiality, and quality of care that individuals can expect from us.

Health Canada’s EAP is one of Canada’s largest providers of employee assistance program. It offers 24/7 access to mental health professionals from diverse backgrounds and trained in trauma-informed care. Their program is designed to meet the diverse needs of individuals from a wide range of communities.

Health Canada’s EAP operates independently of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. However, if your situation requires specialized support related to sexual misconduct or military sexual trauma, a secure and confidential referral process has been established in collaboration with our partners at Health Canada’s EAP. This process ensures that an SMSRC counsellor will follow up with you the next day.

We will closely monitor the effectiveness of this partnership and gather feedback to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of those who have been directly or indirectly affected by sexual misconduct.

Initial support

Our counsellors can support you with information on options and guidance if, for example:

• you have experienced, witnessed, or heard about sexual misconduct incident and are unsure what to do
• you need help recognizing sexual misconduct
• you need information on reporting sexual misconduct
• you are supporting someone affected by sexual misconduct
• you are concerned about the effect of sexual misconduct on your unit or team
• you are a witness in legal proceedings with respect to CAF- or DND-related sexual misconduct
• you want information on programs and services that are available in your area
• you need help receiving, reporting, and acting on a disclosure of sexual misconduct
• you are seeking referrals to CAF, DND or other governmental, provincial and territorial service providers
• you need help supporting individuals and your unit or organization

Referrals

With your consent, our counsellors can connect you with CAF, DND, provincial, territorial and community-based support and care resources. They can also refer you to Veterans Affairs Canada programs and services that suit your needs.

Reporting sexual misconduct

If you wish to explore reporting options, our counsellors or coordinators can provide basic information on how to report sexual misconduct both within the CAF and externally. Referrals for more detailed guidance remain confidential.

If you are a CAF member, or when the sexual misconduct involves a CAF member, you may discuss reporting with a:

• Military Police Liaison Officer (MPLO) or
• Military Liaison Officer (MLO)

These officers can provide in-depth information on reporting sexual misconduct within the CAF, the military justice system and related CAF policies. They work in collaboration with us and are available by referral upon your request.

If you do not want to pursue your case through the military justice system, we can refer you to a police organization in your area.

CAF and DND leaders may also receive reports of sexual misconduct from military or public service personnel.

In such cases, the MPLO or MLO can provide leaders with guidance on reporting protocols, policy interpretation, and organizational considerations that may arise as a result of a disclosure.

Continuing support and assistance

Individuals can obtain continuing support and assistance from a dedicated coordinator through the Response and Support Coordination (RSC) Program.

Guidance and information for leaders

If you are a member of the CAF chain of command or a DND public service executive or manager, you may need to address incidents of sexual misconduct and support affected individuals, families, units, or teams.

We recommend that you call us from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET on our toll-free number, 1-844-750-1648, for guidance and information regarding both CAF and DND services for public service employees.

One of our Response and Support counsellors can assist you on:

• receiving disclosures of sexual misconduct
• supporting directly affected individuals and their families
• supporting other affected individuals such as alleged perpetrators, bystanders and witnesses
• reporting sexual misconduct
• recognizing sexual misconduct
• referrals for in-depth information on related topics

Contact the SMSRC

By telephone, 24/7 at:

1-844-750-1648 (toll-free, North America)
613-996-3900 (National Capital Region or collect from anywhere except the United States)

Please note that, from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. ET, your call will be handled by a mental health professional from Health Canada’s Employee Assistance Program. SMSRC counsellors are available to answer calls from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

Alternate and international telephone numbers

Canadian Switched Network (CSN, from Canada and deployed operations)

CSN ACOD 86-996-3900

Defense Switched Network (DSN of the United States (US) Department of Defense in the US and deployed operations)

CSN/DSN 319-996-3900

NATO Core Network (NCN via DSN)

NCN ACOD 90-01-319-996-3900

Multipurpose Integrated Telecommunication Network (MITNET, Global Affairs Canada)

MITNET ACOD 8-1-844-750-1648 or 8-1-844-996-3900

Toll-free (select foreign countries)

You can call us toll-free from the following countries:

• Colombia
• England
• France
• Germany
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Korea (Republic)
• Netherlands
• Poland
• South Africa
• Thailand

When you call from these countries, first enter the access number below to reach the toll-free system. You will then be prompted to enter the Canada Country Code and the telephone number.

Access number: 80058581234
Canada Country Code: 001
Telephone: 613-996-3900
Email: DND.SMSRC-CSRIS.MDN@forces.gc.ca — We monitor and reply to emails during business hours, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., ET.

Fill out the form to provide your feedback or to file a complaint.

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