Military police said they charged the former head of human resources for the Canadian Armed Forces with one count of sexual assault.
The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) says Vice-Admiral Haydn Edmundson has also been charged with one count of indecent acts.
The charges come weeks after Defense Minister Anita Anand announced she had accepted retired Supreme Court Judge Louise Arbor’s appeal to transfer the investigation and prosecution of the cases military sexual assault on civilian authorities.
In announcing the charges against Haydn Edmundson, the CFNIS noted that Ms. Arbor was leaving the door open to keep investigations in the hands of military police if they were nearing completion.
Vice-Admiral Edmundson’s case will go through the civil justice system rather than the military justice system.
Haydn Edmundson resigned his post as Chief of Military Personnel Command in March due to a police investigation after a CBC report on allegations of sexual assault. He denied the allegations.
His successor, Lt. Gen. Steven Whelan, resigned in October due to a military police investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct. He also denied any wrongdoing.
If you are a victim of sexual violence, you can contact a Sexual Assault Assistance Center (CALACS) near you. Click here to see the list or call the Sexual Violence Info-Aide line at 1 888 933-9007.
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