Get support services

The Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC) provides support services to those directly or indirectly affected by sexual misconduct such as:

• currently serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
• former members of the CAF
• Department of National Defence (DND) public service employees
• families and caregivers of the above
• members of the Defence Team who support those affected

For confidential support, information on options, guidance on supporting others, and referrals to care and service organizations, you can speak in either official language with an SMRC counsellor toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-844-750-1648.

Our counsellors and coordinators are DND public service employees; they therefore are not bound by the duty to report to the CAF. SMRC support services are confidential within prescribed legal limits.

On this page

• When you call us
• Initial support
• Referrals
• Reporting sexual misconduct
• Continuing support and assistance
• Guidance and information for leaders
• Information sessions
• Contact the SMRC

When you call us

A Response and Support counsellor will answer and:

• 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 SMRC can help you and your colleagues, units or teams
• facilitate referrals to CAF, DND, provincial, territorial and community-based resources and caregiving institutions

Initial support

Response and Support counsellors can support you with information on options and guidance:

• when you don’t know what to do if you have experienced, seen, have been told about, or know about an incident or a pattern of sexual misconduct
• in recognizing sexual misconduct
• with information on reporting sexual misconduct
• when you are supporting someone affected by sexual misconduct,
• if you are concerned about the effect of sexual misconduct on your unit or team
• if you are a witness in legal proceedings with respect to CAF- or DND-related sexual misconduct
• with information on programs and services in your area that are available to you
• on receiving, reporting, and acting on a disclosure of sexual misconduct
• if you are seeking referrals to CAF, DND and other government, provincial and territorial service providers
• on supporting individuals and your unit or organization

Referrals

If it’s right for you, with your permission and anonymously if you wish, SMRC Response and Support 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 discuss reporting, an SMRC counsellor or coordinator can provide basic information on reporting options in the CAF and externally, and refer you—anonymously if you wish—for more in-depth information and guidance.

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 CAF policies. The MPLO and MLO support the work of the SMRC and are available by referral upon your request.

If you are not interested in pursuing your case through the military justice system, we can refer you to a police organization in your area.

CAF and DND leaders may receive reports of sexual misconduct from CAF members or DND public service employees. The MPLO or MLO can provide information, guidance and insights on systems, process issues and issues that can be brought about by reporting.

Continuing support and assistance

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

You may wish to sign up for the RSC program if you have registered or intend to register a formal complaint. However it is not necessary to formally report your experience(s) of sexual misconduct in order to access the RSC program.

The RSC program assigns a dedicated coordinator to each client. The coordinators can provide services that may include:

• information and referrals to resources and services
• advocacy to help you meet your needs
• accompaniment to appointments, meetings and proceedings
• assistance with workplace arrangements
• other practical assistance

To discuss continuing support and the RSC program or to request a referral, call the SMRC confidential 24/7 toll-free number, 1-844-750-1648.

If you opt into the RSC program, your assigned Response and Support (R&S) coordinator will make first contact with you during business hours: 7 am to 5 pm weekdays, Eastern Time. You may withdraw from the program at any time.

Currently, the SMRC has regional coordinators stationed in the Québec, Pacific and National Capital regions. The other regions across Canada will be staffed over the next year. In the meantime, coordinators in place will provide services and support to individuals no matter where they are until all of the regions are fully operating.

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 are in a position where you may be faced with having to address sexual misconduct in the workplace and support individuals, units and teams.

We recommend that you call us on our 24/7 toll-free number, 1-844-750-1648, for guidance and information regarding both CAF services and DND services for public service employees.

An SMRC Response and Support counsellor can assist you on:

• receiving disclosures of sexual misconduct
• supporting directly affected individuals
• 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

Information sessions

The SMRC offers in-person or virtual group presentations on SMRC services and programs. You can request a presentation by using the online request form. For further information, please contact the SMRC Communications and Marketing Team.

Contact the SMRC

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)

Email: DND.SMRC-CIIS.MDN@forces.gc.ca – We reply to email during business hours, 7 am to 5 pm, Eastern Time.