Going from bad to worse: Statistics Canada makes public a survey of 43,000 soldiers

Earlier today Statistics Canada made public the results of their survey "Sexual Misconduct inthe Canadian Armed Forces, 2016" in which 43,000 members of the Canadian military participated. As reported by CBC 960 Regular Force members reported sexual assault in the past year.  The results are damning. For instance, the survey has revealed that 27.3 percent of women have suffered a sexual assault at least once over their military careers.

The survey also revealed that 79 percent of members of the Regular Forces saw, heard or personally experienced 'inappropriate sexualized behavior' over the past year. In the twelve months preceding the survey, near two (2) percent of Regular Force members reported that they had been victims of a sexual asssault in the military workplace or involving military members.

The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance, addressed the issues raised during the volonteer survey during an ensuing press conference.

“Harmful sexual behaviour is a real and present threat to our institution. Those who commit such acts are betraying the values of the country they are sworn to defend. The information in this survey will give us a better understanding of the scope and nature of the problem, allowing us to target our efforts under Operation HONOUR to eliminate this behaviour.”