Military sexual misconduct complaints can now go to human rights commission – National | 24CA News
Members of the Canadian Armed Forces who expertise sexual misconduct or harassment can now file a grievance straight with the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) in the event that they select to.
Defence Minister Bill Blair says the announcement takes quick impact and applies to each new and current complaints. The minister provides that that is in following with suggestions seven and 9 within the exterior evaluation of the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) dealing with of sexual misconduct, led by former Supreme Court of Canada justice Louise Arbour.
That evaluation was spurred by months of unique Global News reporting into allegations of sexual misconduct in opposition to senior navy leaders beginning in February 2021.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to implementing meaningful and transformative change. This new pathway to justice will better support our people in uniform and provide them with the procedural fairness that they deserve,” Blair mentioned in a press release.
Now, navy members have two avenues to file sexual harassment or intercourse/gender discrimination complaints – both the inner navy grievance and harassment processes or straight with the CHRC. Canadian Forces members who take the latter route will not must exhaust the inner grievance course of first.
“We are making substantial and concrete progress on evolving DND/CAF culture across the organization. With today’s announcement, we are ensuring that our members have more options when it comes to reporting incidents and filing complaints related to sexual harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex,” Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre mentioned in a press release.
“Change takes time but we are seeing encouraging progress on many fronts, and we will continue with this important work to create a better workplace for all our members.”
CHRC interim chief commissioner Charlotte-Anne Malischewski says she welcomes the change and hopes it could actually assist complainants shortly entry justice.
Additionally, the Canadian navy will not file objections to member complaints round sexual misconduct, harassment or discrimination being despatched on to the CHRC.
All different harassment complaints are nonetheless anticipated to undergo the common CAF grievance and harassment processes.
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