Educational Events

The Canadian Military Sexual Trauma Community of Practice, McMaster University’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, and the Centre of Excellence - PTSD (now known as Atlas Institute) hosted a three-part virtual symposium on Military Sexual Trauma.  

This three-part symposium, which began on June 3, 2021 and continued with live sessions on September 16 and 23, 2021 brought together researchers and policy leads from universities, government departments and intermediary organizations, as well as individuals representing those with lived personal experience of MST. Check out our "Media" page for the recordings of this series.  

Whether you are a researcher, clinician, policy-maker, frontline worker or someone who has experienced sexual harassment or sexual misconduct in the military, 

Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and its aftermath affects thousands of Canadians.

There is also a wealth of information contained in the link below:

https://veteransmentalhealth.ca/about-us/events/mst-symposium/

November 16, 2022, Theme 1: Families and Loved Ones of MST Survivors. 

This session will focus on the families and loved ones of MST survivors. We recognize the impact of MST on family members and hope to provide a forum that helps bolster community and support outside of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Department of National Defense (DND) and Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). We recognize that "family" means different things to different people and welcome all families, as defined by members themselves. We believe that survivors and their families should not have to attempt to heal in isolation and hope to encourage families to reach out for support, if they need it.

November 23, 2022, Theme 2: The Role of External Service Providers and the Media. 

Survivors may not feel comfortable accessing resources or services within DND/CAF/VAC due to mistrust of institutions after experiencing MST. This session will highlight the work of service providers and community organizations outside DND/CAF/VAC that are providing culturally competent support to CAF members and Veterans. It is our hope that in facilitating this information sharing, the forum will open an opportunity for collaboration that is survivor-focused and helps bolster and improve access to the best, most competent supports members and former members receive, both within and outside the DND, CAF and VAC. In this session, we will also include members of the mainstream media along with other external service providers. The media is a vital connection between what happens "inside" the CAF and what the rest of the country sees. Members of the media will be present, along with MST survivors who have dealt extensively with the media. We hope to provide a forum in this session for the media and survivors with guidance on how to interact with each other. Of key importance, we (and survivors) will offer guidance to the media on how to approach MST survivors through a trauma informed lens.

November 30, 2022, Theme 3: Change from All Sides. 

We will call on our Military Partners (DND/CAF/VAC/SMRC) to engage members in leadership and frontline service positions to dialogue with PWLE at this symposium. These conversations will be moderated and will allow PWLE to share their experiences and offer feedback on current internal processes. It is our hope that this dialogue will help to catalyze conversation and action regarding needed change, and serve as a road map for next steps for our Military Partners.

Hosted by McMaster University, the Restoring Hearts and Minds: Families and Loved Ones of Military Sexual Trauma Survivors (MST) symposium is on 16 & 23 & 30 November 2022 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Eastern. This virtual event is free and open to the public.

This event is a safe space for MST Survivors, PWLE (Persons With Lived Experience) & families to share their experiences and heal alongside others.

You should attend if you are a person with lived experience (PWLE), a friend or family member of someone dealing with MST, someone who wants to help amplify survivor voices, a frontline service provider to PWLE, or if you are interested in communicating with MST survivors and PWLE through a more trauma-informed lens.

The Restoring Hearts and Minds Symposium events are envisioned as a space created by PWLE to share, engage, support, and collaborate as they continue their journey of recovery. 

Those interested in sharing how their experience of MST can positively impact the rebuilding of relationships within our community were invited to enter a submission and in doing so affirm that their participation will be a source of healing and constructive information for others in the community.

We are pleased to confirm that Vice Admiral Topshee, Brigadier General Aitcheson, Rear Admiral Patterson, and Major General Bilodeau have been confirmed as some of the panelists at the Restoring Hearts & Minds Virtual Symposium, discussing change from all sides.  They will be joined by MST Survivors in a Question & Answer forum.  

If you have questions about the opportunity, you may contact The Trauma and Recovery Research Unit.  They would be happy to answer questions via e-mail or arrange a brief call to provide additional information about The Trauma and Recovery Research Unit, and this symposium series.