Canadian Military Ethos Helps Eliminate Sexual Misconduct
A new plan enforced by the Canadian Forces focuses on the “military ethos” — an effort to eliminate the possibility of any sexual misconduct.
To mark the beginning of a new phase, the Canadian armed forces released a detailed plan called “The Path to Dignity and Respect”.
The plan’s release came just weeks after a data was released by the Statistics Canada, showing there is a sexual misconduct problem in the country’s two military colleges. The survey results found 68% of students at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston and Saint-Jean had been victims of unwanted sexual behavior during the school timings.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Jonathan Vance said, “To achieve our goal, we must cultivate a command climate across the institution where sexual misconduct is never minimized, ignored or excused. This is how we build a safer work environment and ensure trust in each other and in the chain of command.”
Last year’s statistics show minimal progress in the eradication of sexual misconduct in the ranks, while the auditor general reported in 2018 that the military was failing to support the victims of sexual misconduct properly and resolve the respective cases swiftly.
The plan majorly focuses on managing the military’s culture for its values and principles as part of an ongoing fight against sexual misconduct, but this plan also lays out some specific actions for the Canadian armed forces to undertake.
This plan not only includes punishing perpetrators, but also looking at ways to rehabilitate and reintegrate those who might be able to stay in uniform.
A CAF survey shows that the fear of a failed career and adverse impact on career, have been a huge deterrent for the victims to report. This plan is necessary not only for the elimination of sexual misconduct, but also for encouraging victims to come forward and report, preventing other service members from becoming a victim of a similar, unfortunate event.
