A newly-released Statistics Canada report into sexual misconduct in Canada’s military paints a very unflattering picture of a key institution that every Canadian depends on for his or her safety.
The report found that 900 members (1.6 per cent) of the Canadian Armed Forces reported being the victims of sexual assault over the past year. That compares with 1.7 per cent two years ago.
In the report sexual assaults are defined as sexual attacks, unwanted sexual touching or sexual activity where the victim was unable to consent.
The findings are troubling in several ways, including providing an indication of a military struggling with a very serious breakdown in discipline and personnel management.
Whether the report will lead to changes aimed at making substantial and lasting improvements remains to be seen. What it does indicate is that more, much more, needs to be done.
The latest report comes three years after the military launched Operation Honour, which was conducted to deal with sexual misconduct in the Canada Armed Forces workplace.
The operation included new programs to help victims, encourage reporting and fight inappropriate behaviour.
“We've always known that this would be a long and bumpy road, and the survey results released today confirm this,” vice-chief of the defence staff Lt.-Gen. Paul Wynnyk reportedly said following the release of the latest report.
“Sexual misconduct continues to be a destructive problem within the Canadian Armed Forces, and we have made rather limited progress in eliminating it over the past two-and-a-half years.”
Wynnyk, one of the nation's highest ranking officers, called the current situation “completely unacceptable” and something that must be addressed without delay.
Canadians can rightly be proud of their military for its ongoing worldwide efforts to enforce the rule of law and to protect the nation from those who would do it harm.
Unfortunately this latest report highlights a dark side of the Canadian Armed Forces that seems to be anything but under control.
This new report must be a wake-up call for Canada’s military leaders – and for every member of Parliament.
- Singleton is the Gazette editor
