Question Period Note: Sexual Misconduct Resources

Why does this Government fail time and again to support victims of sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces?

• We believe that everyone deserves a workplace where they feel safe, respected, and supported.
• That is why National Defence provides robust and dedicated services to ensure that our members who come forward are supported.
• For example the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre provides Canadian Armed Forces members dedicated 24/7 confidential support and counselling.
• We recently increased funding to the Centre in Budget 2021 to formally expand these services to Defence public service employees and veterans.
• We are also expanding the Centre’s geographic reach through the establishment of five offices across Canada to provide in-person services.
• All Sexual Misconduct Response Centre services operate independently from the military chain of command.
• We will continue working with the survivor community towards a victim centered approach to creating real lasting change in the organization.

Quick Facts

• Budget 2021: $236.2 million over five years to address sexual misconduct and gender-based violence.
• Sexual Misconduct Response Centre provides confidential counselling, assistance, advocacy, and accompaniment to victims of sexual misconduct.
• During fiscal year 2020-2021, 654 individuals contacted the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre. This is up from 648 individuals the previous year.
• Arbour Review will include the examination of the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre’s mandate, activities, independence, and reporting structure.

Background

• The Sexual Misconduct Response Centre is currently National Defence’s core support service for those affected by sexual misconduct. It provides 24/7 bilingual confidential support, counselling, information and referrals to members of the Defence community.
• Since 2019, the Center also provides affected members with a dedicated coordinator for ongoing support, assistance, advocacy, and accompaniment. It operates outside of, and independently from, the Canadian Armed Forces chain of command and reports directly to the Deputy Minister.
• While the Centre is not a reporting or investigative organisation, it can facilitate access to official reporting mechanisms, with consent of the affected members. The centre also acts as a Centre of Expertise on all aspects of sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces. It provides advice and guidance to Canadian Armed Forces leadership and monitors progress on addressing sexual misconduct.
• In 2019, the Centre launched a Contribution Program which provides funds to civilian community-based sexual assault centres in a number of Canadian communities that have a large Canadian Armed Forces presence.
  • The contribution program provides opportunities for increased collaboration between community-based civilian support providers and Canadian Armed Forces-linked support providers.
  • The program provides the wider defence community, including family members, civilian employees, contractors, and others impacted by the Canadian Armed Forces presence in their community, with access to support services.

Responsible Principals: Sexual Misconduct Response Centre

Sexual Misconduct Response Centre