Question Period Note: SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND/OR MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA

• The Government of Canada recognizes the unique needs of those impacted by sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces.

• Veterans Affairs Canada places the highest priority on ensuring Veterans and their families have the services they need when and where they need them.

• Veterans Affairs Canada has a continuum of programs and supports for those who become ill or injured in the line of duty. This includes those impacted by sexual misconduct and/or military sexual trauma.

• We are ensuring access to specialized services and supports required to appropriately address the impacts on their personal health and well-being. We are dedicated to meeting their needs.

• We are actively working with the Department of National Defence’s Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre to develop additional supports for those impacted by sexual misconduct and/or military sexual trauma.
 

BACKGROUND – SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND/OR MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA
Under a clear mandate to the Minister of National Defence in Budget 2021, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is actively working with the Department of National Defence to ensure support is available to Veterans affected by sexual misconduct and/or military sexual trauma. This includes access to peer support and to services provided by DND’s Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC).

VAC places the highest priority on ensuring Veterans and their families, including those impacted by sexual misconduct and/or military sexual trauma, have the services they need when and where they need them. Current supports are through a suite of benefits including mental health services, disability and related health care benefits, rehabilitation services, financial benefits and support to families.

With the understanding that each person can be impacted differently, our commitment to support these diverse needs include a number of approaches:

• Veteran access to DND’s Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre services, including 24/7 phone line for confidential support as well as access to ongoing assistance when needed;
• VAC Assistance Service offers Veterans one-to-one mental health services 365 days a year, 24/7;
• 10 outpatient Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinics across the country comprising muti-disciplinary teams who have expertise in military-related traumas;
• 11 Operational Stress Injury satellite service sites to help Veterans access services closer to where they live;
• All Operational Stress Injury Clinics and satellite service sites offer face to face and virtual services;
• A network of Medavie Blue Cross registered mental health professionals across Canada to which Veterans have access.

Veterans and/or CAF members who have a physical or mental health condition related to sexual trauma related to their military service, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and/or physical conditions, are encouraged to apply to VAC for disability benefits. VAC has a dedicated unit to process these applications. As of April 1, 2022, Veterans living in Canada who apply for a disability benefit for certain mental health conditions – as well as those who have already applied and are awaiting a decision – are automatically qualified for mental health coverage. Under the Mental Health Benefits program, Veterans have up to two years of coverage for treatment for conditions such as anxiety and depressive disorders, or trauma-and-stress-related disorders.

In addition to its existing suite of services and programs, VAC continues to work closely with the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre and CAF-DND counterparts and partners to enhance supports specific to sexual trauma related to military service. To highlight a few key updates:

o In March 2020, VAC announced its Office of Women and 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans. The office works to identify systemic issues specific to women and 2SLGBTQI+ Veterans, and to advance gender equality, diversity and inclusion for all Veterans.
o In December 2021, the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre’s mandate was expanded to include Veterans. This means Veterans now have access to the important supports provided by the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre. This is in addition to compensation and support that Veterans Affairs can provide to individuals with a medical condition related to sexual trauma suffered while in service.
o VAC and DND are engaged in a joint initiative to develop a peer support program for survivors of sexual misconduct and/or military sexual trauma. This responds to the settlement of the Canadian Armed Forces - Department of National Defence Sexual Misconduct Class Action (also known as the Heyder-Beattie Class Action) and legal obligations on implementation of the restorative engagement program under the final settlement agreement.
- The Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC) and Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) project teams completed five initial Peer Support Formal Groups by the close of 2023 and launched another two groups in February 2024. The Formal Group offers up to 10 virtual sessions (e.g., coping strategies, building resilience etc.) via MS Teams that are 90 minutes each. English and French groups are available.
- These ongoing groups are led by a trained Peer Facilitator with lived experience and supported/co-facilitated by VAC’s Mental Health Professional. They consist of diverse psychoeducational material and provide a safe space to engage in Peer Support.

These initiatives are part of the implementation of supports announced in Budget 2021, that address broader Government of Canada objectives related to the National Action Plan to end Gender-Based Violence, and addressing sexual misconduct and culture change in the Canadian Armed Forces.

WHEN PRESSED:
Q1 – How many cases came forward from the Heyder-Beattie Class Action and how efficient was our decision-making process around those cases?
Veterans Affairs Canada prioritizes all Disability Benefits applications related to sexual trauma and directs them to the dedicated unit for processing. From June 1, 2020 to January 31, 2024, this dedicated unit processed 3,428 Disability Benefit applications with a favourable rate of 95%.
* Blue Zone data does not directly correlate to SMCA data, as there may be applications for disability benefits that are designated as Blue Zone that are not part of the Class Action, and there may be applications submitted that have not been identified as related to the Class Action by the applicant.
Q2 – Have you consulted people with lived and living experience (PWLLE) on the Peer Support Program delivery?
The peer support program is based on a ‘human-centred design’ approach. This approach requires engaging with persons with lived and living experience (PWLLE). Thus, this program and pilot are being co-developed with the community.
Consultations with persons with lived and living experience were held in the Fall of 2021 to help create the scope of the peer support program that is representative of the needs of current and former CAF members who have experienced sexual trauma during their military service. The https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/reports-publications/mst-report.html was published on March 29, 2022.

The initial launch included an evaluation component which will help in updating or revising the future Formal Peer Support Group service. After every Formal Group session, participants were encouraged to share their feedback anonymously through post-session feedback surveys. Additionally, they were asked to participate in an exit interview once the program concluded. All feedback from participants will undergo analysis, leading to the implementation of recommended updates and changes moving forward, in accordance with the consistent feedback received.

Q3 – Does VAC have a contingency plan to support the community while developing the program?
The Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre leadership hosted a virtual event on April 11, 2023 to update Canadians affected by military sexual trauma on a number of developments pertaining to program initiatives. They have also added a Community Consultations initiative to provide opportunity for expertise, advice and recommendations by the wider Defence community.
Ongoing communication continues with the CAF and DND community via social media, the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre Web site and through direct emails with interested individuals. VAC continues to mirror relevant Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre social media posts. We also continue to update our frontline staff, via Q&As or directives, when appropriate.
Veterans have access to supports provided by the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre. This is in addition to compensation and support that Veterans Affairs can provide to individuals with a medical condition related to sexual trauma suffered while in service.
If an individual has experienced sexual trauma during their military service and requires immediate support and assistance, they can call the SMSRC toll-free line at 1-844-750-1648 anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Q4 – What other peer support services will be delivered specifically to individuals affected by sexual trauma during their military service?

Other peer support services are available to people affected by sexual misconduct and/or MST through the Peer Support Program. They include the Formal Peer Support Group offering up to ten, 90-minute virtual peer support sessions co-facilitated by a trained peer facilitator with lived experience of sexual misconduct and/or MST and a mental health professional who ensure a nurturing environment for both participants and the facilitator.

The Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre is working in close cooperation with Defence Research and Development Canada on the Confide application that will serve as a virtual tool that program participants can use to locate Peer Supporters in their community and support virtual communications.
Individuals (Peers) will be able to access the following program models for peer support once the permanent implementation of the Peer Support Program is launched:
o One-to-one, in-person and virtual meetings; and,
o Formal and Informal Groups, in-person and virtual.

One-to-one in-person: Participants will be matched with a peer who has been hired and trained as a peer supporter and has experienced military sexual trauma. Locations of in-person meetings will be chosen based on preference and will be neutral and safe for both individuals.
One-to-one virtual meeting platform: Participants will be matched with a peer who has been hired and trained as a peer supporter and has experienced military sexual trauma. This option will be available virtually through a meeting platform for those who are not yet comfortable in meeting their peers in-person.
The Informal Peer Support Group sessions, available starting in Spring 2024, will be a drop-in style group offered virtually and topics discussed during the sessions will be based on participant input and need. Group sessions will be hosted by trained Peer Facilitators affected by sexual misconduct and/or military sexual trauma. This service offers up to eight, 90-minute group sessions.
Q5 – Why is the contract ending with Togetherall, the online peer support platform?

The Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC), in collaboration with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), offers a peer support program for people affected by sexual misconduct and/or military sexual trauma (MST). Since June 2022, SMSRC has had a contract with Togetherall to provide an anonymous online platform for people in the Defence community affected by sexual misconduct and/or MST. The contract with Togetherall is ending on March 29, 2024. Given the diverse feedback, we are taking the time to reevaluate the requirement for this type of service through consultations with the community. We will expand the delivery of the other group peer support services to the community of people affected by sexual misconduct such as the Formal Peer Support group and Informal Peer Support group services.

Q6 – What are the benefits of having a peer support program?
Peer support offers numerous benefits, including shared understanding, empathy, and validation of experiences. Participants can gain coping strategies, reduce isolation, and build community. Peer support fosters personal growth, empowerment, and resilience. It provides a safe space for open dialogue and can complement professional interventions. The sense of belonging and shared experiences contributes to improved mental health and well-being.