Help is Here
What to Do If You’ve Been Assaulted.
1. Ensure Immediate Safety and Medical Attention
- Get to a safe location if you are in immediate danger.
- Seek medical care for physical injuries, testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and emergency contraception if needed. You do NOT need to report the incident to access medical help.
- Hospitals and military clinics can provide confidential care.
2. Seek Confidential Mental Health and Emotional Support
You are encouraged to connect with trauma-informed mental health professionals
Available Resources
- Canadian Armed Forces Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC)
- Independent from the chain of command; trauma-informed, survivor-centric:
- Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP)
- 24/7 confidential counseling for active CAF members and families
- Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Assistance Service
- Free, 24/7 mental health support for veterans, former RCMP, and families:
3. Document the Incident (Optional)
- Write down what happened while it is fresh in your memory.
- Include date, time, location, witnesses, and what occurred.
- Store securely. This is helpful for reporting later but is not required.
4. Decide Whether to Report the Incident
- You are NOT OBLIGATED to report. If you choose to, here are the options:
- Military Reporting Options:
- Duty to Report (internal CAF policy): Applies to supervisors and others who become aware of a serious incident.
- Report to the Military Police / Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS):
- Independent military police branch.
- Civilian Police Reporting:
- You may bypass military authorities and file with civilian police, especially if you are a veteran or prefer not to involve DND.
5. Submit a Claim to Veterans Affairs Canada (If you are a Veteran)
- You can apply for benefits related to MST, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, or physical injury.
- Apply for a Disability Benefit:
6. Consider Filing a Civil or Human Rights Complaint
- Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC):
- You can file a complaint if you experienced discrimination or harassment in a federally regulated workplace, including the military.
7. Join Peer Support and Community Programs
- Connecting with others who have experienced MST can be therapeutic.
- SMSRC has launched a Peer Support Pilot Program specifically for MST survivors in collaboration with survivors and stakeholders. – Only available on a limited time basis for now.
8. Consider Legal Advice
- Especially for pursuing:
- Disability claims
- Civil lawsuits
- Human rights complaints
- Employment reinstatement or reputational repair
Contact a lawyer with military or human rights experience.
Important Notes
- No limitation period for VAC claims for psychological conditions.
- You do not have to disclose to receive support services.
- Retaliation or reprisal for reporting MST is a violation of CAF policy and can itself be grounds for complaint.
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