Changing the military's culture to end sexual misconduct could take 5 years, senior officer says

The chief of professionalism and conduct in the Canadian Armed Forces is planning a five-year campaign to overhaul the military's culture to put an end to sexual misconduct.

But Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan acknowledges that she and others leading the charge within the Department of National Defence have yet to define what constitutes success in the battle against sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour.

The definition of success is a loose one at the moment — the point at which people working in the military "feel psychologically safe showing up to work every day," Carignan told a technical briefing for journalists Thursday.

"So this is what success looks like," she said. "This is the vision that we are setting forward."

Carignan said she believes it will take five years to institute "effective, irreversible, positive changes" in a military system that has resisted efforts to change it for decades.

The briefing, delivered by Carignan and Denise Preston, the head of the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC), comes in the wake an history-making apology from the federal government to those who've experienced sexual misconduct and discrimination. Survivors of sexual assault and critics greeted the apology cautiously, saying they need to see proof of change.

WATCH: Minister, defence officials apologize to victims of military sexual misconduct

Thursday's briefing was meant to answer those concerns with a detailed accounting of what is being done internally to support survivors and address their concerns and demands for a responsive and impartial system. 

"An apology is not enough and the time has come for action," Carignan said.

The briefing did not address some of the more contentious questions, however — such as exactly how sexual assault cases will be transferred to civilian authorities. Further briefings are promised down the road.

Quoting from leaked internal documents, CBC News reported last month that the federal government has earmarked up to $77.7 million for supports for survivors, justice and accountability initiatives and culture change.

The biggest part of that sum — $22.1 million — has been set aside to expand services at the SMRC in five regions across the country. The Liberal government promised earlier this year to expand the number of SMRC centres and open them up to more people.

Preston said the addition of new SMRC locations would be completed by next year.

The internal document, obtained by CBC News, said SMRC services will be expanded before the end of the year to cover former military members and those working on the civilian side for the Department of National Defence.