The SMSRC’s Restorative Engagement Program Updates Fall 2023

On This Page:

• Progress in the Program
• Did You Know?
• Information Sessions
• How to Reach Out

Dear class member,

This message is being sent to you as someone who expressed interest in receiving information regarding the Restorative Engagement (RE) Program on their claim form for the CAF-DND Sexual Misconduct Class Action Settlement. The following will provide you with a few updates on the activities occurring within the RE program.

Progress in the Program

Since the launch of the program two years ago, we have had meaningful and restorative conversations. Class members' feedback on how to improve the program has been crucial. Many said that the wait time to be contacted was too long. We acknowledge that and to allow us to contact a greater number of class members, we recently hired intake officers across the country. To date, we have contacted more than 1,500 class members who have submitted their claim and shown an interest in RE.

Before the end of the calendar year, intake officers will be connecting with you to confirm your interest in the program. We encourage you to monitor your inbox or mailbox and reply to our message as soon as you can so that we can ensure your participation is expedited.

Defence representatives' contribution is key to the success of the program to provide class members the opportunity to engage with them directly or indirectly. To date, 11 cohorts, which are small groups of up to eight Defence representatives have completed their participation in the RE program. We are currently facilitating three cohorts and are planning another five in January 2024.These representatives are Defence Team members who volunteered to acknowledge and learn from your experiences and insights and contribute to culture change in a meaningful and tangible way.

We are grateful for everyone's input, and we continue to work on adjusting the program to reflect what we have learned so far. We will continue to update you in our progress.

Did You Know?

Defence representatives participate in the program in small groups called cohorts. Restorative practitioners are assigned to facilitate their participation. The three phases of the cohort process are:

Phase 1: Learning and Connecting

Defence representatives:

• Build knowledge on the issue of sexual misconduct, the culture that contributes to it, and restorative approaches.
• Develop skills to support their roles in the program and prepare to engage with class members.
• Consider their role and responsibility in addressing the problem of sexual misconduct.

Phase 2: Listening, Learning and Understanding

Defence representatives:

• Continue to learn about the contexts, causes and impacts of sexual misconduct, and what needs to change to end it (including learning through engagement sessions with class members).
• Develop restorative leadership skills by facilitating parts of the cohort.
• Begin developing leadership plans for how they will take the knowledge and skills they have gained back to their roles in the institution.

Phase 3: Preparing, Planning and Acting

Defence representatives:

• Deepen their understanding of what needs to change at the individual, collective and institutional levels to end sexual misconduct.
• Plan and prepare strategies and actions to contribute to culture change as they return to their regular duties.
• Choose an issue/idea and will learn more about it, so that they can apply what they learn to act in support of change.
• Explore issues, ideas, strategies, and commitments for how to make a difference through leadership (their own and others).

Generate a summary of these learnings to contribute to institutional learning, planning and action.

Information Sessions

We are offering new live information sessions for those who want to know more about the RE program and what to expect when participating. No registration needed; just click and join on the day of the session.

How to Reach Out

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out at RE-DR@forces.gc.ca or by phone at 1-833-998-2048. We will continue to provide you with updates throughout the program.

You can also reach out to the SMSRC 24/7 line at 1-844-750-1648. Counsellors can provide you with confidential support, including information on options, guidance on supporting others, and referrals to care and service organizations. This service is available in either official language.

Note: We are unable to provide you with an update on your claim and invite you to contact the Claims Administrator about the CAF-DND Sexual Misconduct Class Action Settlement at info@caf-dndsexualmisconductclassaction.ca or by telephone at 1-888-626-2611.

Please inform us and the Claims Administrator of any changes to your contact information (for example, your email address or phone number), by emailing us at RE-DR@forces.gc.ca or by phone at 1-833-998-2048.

Thank you again for your patience as we continue to work with the class member community to deliver a meaningful restorative experience. You can expect to be contacted before the end of the year.

Sincerely,

The Restorative Engagement program team

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