Get support services
We are currently updating our website to reflect our new name and mandate.
During this transition, some pages may display updated information while others may not yet reflect these changes. If you need assistance finding information, please contact us at DND.SMSRC-CSRIS.MDN@forces.gc.ca or 1-844-750-1648.
Thank you for your understanding.
The Defence Community Support and Resource Centre (DCSRC) provides support services to people directly or indirectly affected by sexual misconduct and/or racism, 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
- Canadian Coast Guard personnel
- 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.
Update to the 24/7 support line: DCSRC counsellors are available from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
Overnight support, from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. ET, is now provided by Health Canada’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), ensuring continued access to confidential, bilingual, trauma-informed support. Callers may also leave a voicemail for DCSRC counsellors, who will follow up the next day.
On this page
- When you call us
- Health Canada’s Employee Assistance Program partnership
- Referrals
- Continuing support and assistance
- Reporting sexual misconduct
- Guidance and information for leaders
- Contact the DCSRC
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 DCSRC can help you and your families, friends, 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 DCSRC support line:
- You may choose to leave a confidential voicemail, and an DCSRC 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, racial discrimination or harassment, a secure and confidential referral process ensures that an SMSRC DCSRC 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 DCSRC 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.
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.
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 and racism 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 DCSRC confidential 24/7 toll-free number, 1-844-750-1648.
If you opt into the RSC program, your assigned Response and Support coordinator will make first contact with you on weekdays during business hours: 7 am to 5 pm Atlantic Time, Eastern Time and Pacific Time. You may withdraw from the program at any time.
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.
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 or racism 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 and racism
- recognizing sexual misconduct and racism
- referrals for in-depth information on related topics
Contact the DCSRC
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. DCSRC 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.
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