(Ottawa) The Canadian Armed Forces are preparing for the launch of long-awaited consultations with thousands of former military personnel, serving members and defense officials who have experienced inappropriate sexual behavior while wearing uniform.
The Restorative Approaches consultation will see around 5,000 members of the armed forces and defense officials share their experiences and offer their thoughts on how to avoid similar events in the future.
The process is a key part of the government’s $ 900 million settlement agreement in 2019 that resolved several overlapping class actions brought by victims of military sexual misconduct.
The Civilian-Managed Sexual Misconduct Intervention Center of the Ministry of Defense organizes the consultation in partnership with the military unit responsible for managing internal conflicts.
Denise Preston, the centre’s executive director, says a few consultations were held in November on a trial basis, but the process will actually kick off in January.
She adds that the purpose of the exercise is not for the victims to confront those who have harmed them, but rather to help the victims to help change the culture of the military and its handling of inappropriate sexual behavior. and criminals.