Improving access to support services across Canada for those who have been affected by sexual misconduct within the Defence community is a top priority for the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
Today, the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC) launched a Call for Applications for its new Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors Grant Program. The program will fund projects led by not-for-profit Canadian, community-based organizations with the capacity and expertise to support people affected by sexual misconduct in the wider Defence community and implement initiatives such as, but not limited to:
- sexual assault centres
- virtual platforms
- research and academic institutions
- counselling services
Eligible projects will provide support services to affected people who have been underserved, including people living in rural and remote areas, Black people, other racialized groups, Indigenous People, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ people, immigrants, and those who may not be able to access support in person.
Two types of grants will be offered through the Program:
- one-time funding of up to $50,000 per eligible project
- recurrent funding of up to $75,000 annually, for a maximum of three years
Eligible organizations are invited to apply to the Grant Program from October 18 until November 15, 2022.
With investments of $10 million over five years from Budget 2021, the Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors Grant Program is part of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence led by Women and Gender Equality Canada. It also forms part of the Department of National Defence's Pathways to Progress approach to building comprehensive support structures through dialogue with survivors, increasing scope and access to resources.
