Apology to victims of sexual misconduct
A virtual public apology will be made today to all current and former members of the Defence Team who have been affected by sexual assault, sexual harassment or discrimination based on sex, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.
- The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, will offer an apology on behalf of the Government of Canada.
- General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff, will offer an apology on behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces.
- Jody Thomas, Deputy Minister of National Defence, will offer an apology on behalf of the Department of National Defence.
The apology will take place virtually at 1 p.m. EST on 13 December 2021 and will be broadcast live on the Canadian Armed Forces Facebook page. Viewers can watch the video stream without an account or signing in to Facebook. A link to the video stream will be posted shortly before the event on the CAF and DND Facebook and Twitter pages, and will also be available on the DND/CAF Sexual Misconduct Apology web page.
The event will also be recorded and available in broadcast quality afterwards on YouTube for those who are unable to watch it live or prefer to view it at a later time.
For anyone for whom this apology evokes stressful emotional responses, and/or cause trauma to resurface, either in the moment or later on, there are many support service options available to current and former Defence Team members. A comprehensive list of these services can be found here. These include services for CAF members, DND employees, veterans, guidance for self care, and steps to file a formal complaint.
Associated links
DND/CAF Sexual Misconduct Apology - Canada.ca
Canadian Armed Forces Facebook page
Canadian Armed Forces YouTube Channel
Services
Get help following an incident of sexual misconduct
Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (24/7)
Canadian Forces Health Services Centres
Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (24/7)
The Family Information Line (24/7)
Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) (peer based support program for CAF members, Veterans and their families)
Veterans Affairs Canada Assistance Service (24/7)
Veterans Affairs Canada Benefits and Services (24/7)
Employee Assistance Program for DND Employees (24/7)
Employee and Family Assistance Program for Staff of the NPF Employees (24/7)
Information:
Sexual Misconduct Information and Resources
Respect in the Canadian Armed Forces mobile application
Workplace conflict, misconduct, and harassment resolution in the CAF
Conflict & Complaint Management Services
Centre for Conflict Resolution and Ethics for Staff of the Non Public Funds, Canadian Forces
