The Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC) within the Department of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) are pleased to announce the first feature of their Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Peer Support Program, an online peer support discussion platform.
Online discussion boards are hosted by an established third-party platform called Togetherall that offers confidentiality, anonymity and clinical oversight. Although this platform forms part of the MST Peer Support Program, it is available to current and former Canadian Armed Forces members as well as Department of National Defence public service employees and their families. They will have access to discussion boards as a safe space to foster peer-to-peer connection, mental resilience and wellness amongst persons with lived experience of sexual misconduct.
While the online peer support discussion platform is the first feature being launched by the MST Peer Support Program, other features such as text and chat-based peer support, one-on-one and group in-person peer support, will be launched as soon as the SMRC has hired and trained peer supporters. The program model illustrating the various features that will be offered once the program is fully launched is available online.
The SMRC is also announcing the expansion of the Response and Support Coordination (RSC) program beyond the National Capital Region (Ottawa/Gatineau) to Nunavut, Québec and Pacific (British Columbia and Yukon) regions. Response and Support Coordinators provide remote and in-person support and assistance that can include case coordination, advocacy, accompaniment, assistance with workplace arrangements and other practical matters. During the fiscal year 2022-23, the SMRC will continue to expand the RSC program to all regions across Canada.
The development of the MST Peer Support Program and expansion of the RSC program are examples of the existing work that has been ongoing to increase support to the community of people affected by sexual misconduct in the CAF/DND. They are also tangible examples of the departments' commitment to implement the recommendations of the Independent External Comprehensive Review. By strengthening these programs, we are taking action to evolve the SMRC's role to provide resources for victims and survivors of sexual misconduct; facilitate immediate access to legal assistance to victims of sexual misconduct across the country; and enhance the role and structure of the SMRC.
The SMRC, who is also delivering the Restorative Engagement (RE) program mandated through the CAF-DND Sexual Misconduct Class Action Final Settlement Agreement, wishes to communicate to class members that that the Minister of National Defence created an exception to the duty to report in the context of the RE program. Class members who haven't yet expressed interest in participating in the RE program and that haven't yet received their initial decision letter have 30 days from receiving it to opt into the program by contacting the claims administrator.
