Scenario: Mooning the Crowd

This scenario contains explicit language and references to sexual situations, including indecent exposure which may be emotionally activating for some people. If you need support, you can contact the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC) at 1-844-750-1648 (24/7/365) or access the services for Canadian Armed Forces members and Defence Team employees.

Group Size: 4-15

Scenario

Warrant Officer (WO) Singh was attending a unit baseball game with colleagues when they witnessed one of the players from the opposing team celebrating their home run by “mooning” the crowd (i.e., the opposing team player pulled down their pants and exposed their buttocks while running across the field). This player was mocking the other team and showing disrespect. WO Singh felt angry by this insulting and indecent act, especially at a military event.

While many people around WO Singh were laughing at the behaviour, WO Singh did not laugh because they felt that the “mooning” was not funny. WO Singh felt that the player should be held accountable for their actions. However, WO Singh was not sure if their military colleagues would find them overly sensitive and weak if they made a complaint.

Categories

Facilitator’s Guide

Learning Objectives

Facilitation Questions

  1. What is the ethical dilemma in this scenario?  
    • Open group discussion.
    • Reference the Criminal Code, specifically crimes of a sexual nature, such as section 163(2) (indecent exposure). Exposing, for a sexual purpose, one’s genital organs to a person under the age of 16 years old is a criminal offence. 
    • The ethical dilemma in this scenario is whether WO Singh should report the player who "mooned" the crowd or not. 
    • WO Singh thinks that the player's behaviour was rude and offensive, and that they should face some consequences. However, WO Singh worries that their colleagues might judge them for being too serious and uptight.
  2. What considerations are at play relative to the Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Code of Values and Ethics? 
    • Open group discussion.
    • Respect the Dignity of all Persons: WO Singh has the right to feel respected, even at work events that are outside of the office" or "even while at informal work functions outside of the workplace.
    • Indecent exposure is a crime 
    • Courage: WO Singh can show courage by making a complaint regarding the action of the person who mooned the crowd, regardless of what their colleagues may think.
    • Leadership: WO Singh has an opportunity to show leadership in this situation by not accepting this form of misconduct, and by acting on it through reporting. Although some of their colleagues laughed at the prank, accepting any form of sexual misconduct as normal, including indecent exposure in this scenario, threatens the well-being of CAF members.
  3. What possible courses of action could WO Singh take in this scenario? Which is the best option? Why?
    • Option 1: WO Singh could report this incident 
    • Option 2: Ignore the incident. WO Singh could just forget what happened. Many colleagues laughed at the prank and perhaps WO Singh should not make a big deal of it. This is not the preferred option.
    • Option 3: Seek advice. WO Singh could speak to their unit’s Ethics Officer or reach out to the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre to better understand if this incident constitutes a conduct deficiency or a crime of a sexual nature and available recourse.

Note to facilitators:

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