Question Period Note: Statistics Canada 2022 survey on sexual misconduct in the Armed Forces

In light of the recent survey of members of the Canadian Armed Forces, what is this Government doing to address sexual misconduct?

• My top priority is to build a Defence Team where all members feel protected, supported, respected, and empowered to serve.
• While I am extremely concerned by the results, this data is vital to National Defence's efforts to understand, prevent, and address sexual misconduct and build a workplace that is free from harassment, discrimination, and violence.
• I will be speaking to the Chief of the Defence Staff and military and civilian defence team leadership.
• We will be conducting an in-depth analysis of the results to determine where we may need to adjust our efforts or implement a more focused approach.
• While we have taken some important steps to prevent and address sexual misconduct, it is clear that more work needs to be done.

If pressed on measures being taken:

• We continue to advance meaningful culture change and deliver substantive changes across the institution, including implementing nearly 200 recommendations from experts.
• We have engaged with over 14,000 Defence Team members to listen and learn from lived experiences.
• As well, the Canadian Armed Forces is strengthening the promotion process for senior leaders to better assess character, talent, and competence.
• The Canadian Armed Forces has also initiated a comprehensive review of basic training and developed a framework to enhance education and awareness programs related to conduct and culture.
• Restorative services are in place to provide support to address and repair harm, restore individual relationships, and strengthen teams.
• These are a few examples of meaningful initiatives underway across the Defence Team to promote culture evolution and rebuild trust.

Summary of the Key Findings of the Statistics Canada 2022 Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces

• Prevalence of sexual assault
  • Approximately 3.5% of Regular Force members and 3.4% of Primary Reservists were sexually assaulted in the military workplace or in an incident involving military members in the 12 months preceding the survey.
  • The most common type of sexual assault was unwanted touching among Regular Force (3.3%) and Primary Reservists (3.1%).
  • Women (7.5%) experienced more sexual assaults compared to men (2.8%) in the Regular Force. Compared to 2018, the sexual assault rate for men increased 2.5 times, while among women it increased 1.7 times.
  • Among the Regular Force, members who are younger, Indigenous (5.1%), are living with a disability (5.9%), or whose sexual orientation is not heterosexual (8.8%) all reported higher levels of sexual assault.
• Sexualized and discriminatory behaviours
  • Regular Force members indicated that the most common form of sexualized behaviour witnessed or experienced was sexual jokes (61%), followed by inappropriate sexual comments (31%), and inappropriate discussion about sex life (29%)
  • 19% of Regular Force members personally experienced at least one of the behaviours measured by the survey (sexual jokes, unwanted sexual attention, repeated pressures for dates, etc.). This is an increase from 2018 (15%).
  • Women in the Regular Force (34%) were more likely than men (16%) to experience sexualized or discriminatory to have experienced sexualized or discriminatory behaviour in the past 12 months. The same applies to members who are living with a disability (46% women; 25% men), are indigenous (42% women; 20% men), and who are not heterosexual (45% women; 32% men).
• Knowledge and Trust
  • Reporting of sexual assault among Regular Force members decreased to 21% in 2022 compared to 25% in 2018. Meanwhile, there was in increase in reporting of sexualized or discriminatory behaviour with 34% in 2022 compared to 28% in 2018.
  • The most common reason for not reporting sexual assault among Regular Force members was a belief that reporting would not make a difference (41%) or fear of negative consequences (35%).
  • 81% of Regular Force members who were sexually assaulted did not contact or use any services in at least one instance. Men (84%) more commonly did not consult or use services, compared to women (74%).
  • 80% of Regular Force members indicated that they were somewhat or very aware of programs, policies and resources related to sexual misconduct, including the Respect in the CAF course (64% very aware), and services available through the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (40% very aware).

Quick facts

• December 5th 2023: Statistics Canada released the results of the 2022 Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces (SSMCAF). This is the third survey in the series, with previous iterations in 2016, and 2018.

• Similar to previous iterations, the 2022 survey asked CAF members questions regarding the prevalence of sexual assault and sexualized and discriminatory behaviour in the workplace. It also asked questions about their knowledge and perception of policies and responses to sexual misconduct.

  Measures:

• National Defence is working hard on a number of measures to build a safer and more inclusive workplace, including:

  • Working to repeal the Duty to Report, a longstanding order that has caused distress and further harm to affected persons.
  • Making changes to our grievance and harassment process.
• Those that are affected by sexual misconduct can contact the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC) for help.
• Members may also file complaints within National Defence within their Chain of Command or Conflict and Complaint Management Commission (CCMS) or they can bring their complaint directly to the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CMRC).