In October 2021, Dr. Silins gave a presentation on this work as one piece of a larger study at the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) forum, titled: “Exploring the Lived Experiences of Members Impacted by Sexual Misconduct in the CAF: Impacts and the Threat of Secondary Harm” Dr. Silins asked us to let you know that the results garnered from many MST survivor testimonies have also helped develop the Survivor Support Strategy and the Restorative Engagement Program.
The results have also been applied to work being done within the SMRC for their developing efforts on bringing peer support to the CAF. Dr. Silins continues to summarize various findings for them based on their current priorities. She has also shared findings about the challenges seeking mental health care for sexual trauma with military leaders in CF Health Services.
We were pleased to hear that as a result of the research she presented this fall at CIMVHR, Dr. Silins was presented with the Banting Award for research. She is extremely humble of this acknowledgement and articulated to us that without your voices,
this research could never have happened.
In an email to us, she says “this research can never adequately represent the many experiences that people have,
and the real learning that comes from speaking directly with those with lived experience. I make that point known whenever possible.
But I’m glad that people want to learn more about these experiences, and they are receiving the results
with an open heart and mind (from what I’ve experienced).”
On the award she states: “It’s a great honour, but mostly I am delighted that the experiences and lessons that we learned about during our interviews will be given a broader audience. I’m really pleased that people are recognizing the importance of listening to people who have experienced sexual misconduct – and it’s thanks to the courage of the people who came forward to take part in this study.”
She closes by saying “when I met with my participants, many of them said they wanted to be heard and they wanted to help make sure this didn’t happen to other CAF members. I told them that I will do my best to make sure their voices are represented as honestly as possible.
I hope this award validates the importance of listening to people, and really understanding lived experiences.
And I hope my participants see that their courage in coming forward really is making a difference.”
