reporting military sexual trauma
Military or Civilian authorities?
Information and guidance about reporting sexual misconduct or assault...
Unacceptable behaviour can be reported to:
- any military member
- any chain of command member
- the Integrated Complaint and Conflict Management service
Alleged criminal offences can be reported to civilian or military police or the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service. The Director of Military Prosecutions processes criminal and service related offences when charges are laid through the military justice system. These offences may be addressed through a court martial.
The Sexual Misconduct Support & Resource Centre (SMSRC) provides the following resources to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members affected by sexual misconduct and members of the chain of command for information and guidance on reporting sexual misconduct.
Services
Military Liaison Officer
You can speak with the military liaison officer within the SMSRC Centre if you need information and guidance on:
- reporting options and processes
- CAF policies regarding sexual misconduct
- responsibilities under Duty to Report
Military Police Liaison Officer
You can speak with the military police liaison officer to get information about criminal and service-related offences. This includes information about lodging a police complaint and the investigation process.
Should you want to make a formal police complaint, the military police liaison officer can provide information on what to expect throughout the investigative process and is able to facilitate access to the military police or the Canadian Forces Investigation Service.
Contacting the Sexual Misconduct Support & Resource Centre (SMSRC):
A Sexual Misconduct Support & Resource Centre counsellor can refer you to the military liaison officer or the military police liaison officer. You can be referred anonymously if you request it. If an officer is not immediately available, the counsellor can give you contact information so you can contact the officer when you are ready.
You can call SMSRC anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Toll-free (North America): 1-844-750-1648
Telephone: 613-996-3900
Email: DND.SMRC-CIIS.MDN@forces.gc.ca
You can call this local telephone number in the National Capital Region, collect from anywhere except the United States, and via Iridium satellite.
Effective May 2023
When the Sexual Misconduct Support Resource Centre was first established in 2015,
the programs and services available were only open to serving CAF members. There were limited services available for Veterans.
One of the reasons for the Class Action was to allocate funding so that Veteran MST survivors could have full access to all services.
Further advocacy by many groups has made expansion of services a reality, and it was announced on 12 May 2023 that there are some services also available for Cadets, Junior Rangers, and family members.
