Could talks between the military and sexual misconduct survivors bring change?
Global News
Support and advocacy group co-chair Lori Buchart says the discussions have been healing for some participants and is hoping they lead to real change in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Royal Canadian Navy commander Vice-Admiral Craig Baines admits he made a mistake by golfing with retired general Jonathan Vance last summer while the former chief of the defence staff was being investigated for alleged sexual misconduct.
But in his first interview since current defence chief Gen. Wayne Eyre’s controversial decision not to fire him, Baines says he has tried to make the most of his second chance by connecting with victims and survivors of military sexual misconduct.
Those connections have been personal, as Baines has sat down with former service members who experienced inappropriate and illegal sexual behaviour while in uniform to listen and learn why his decision was wrong.
He has also worked to connect senior officers across the navy with It’s Not Just 700, a support and advocacy group specially created six years ago for victims of military sexual misconduct, and pledged to be an agent for change.
Global News first reported on the Canadian Forces’ mishandling of sexual misconduct in February 2021, leading to the forcing out or resignation of several members of the military’s top brass due to allegations of improper conduct.
On Feb. 2, the issue burst into the spotlight after Global News reported that now-retired Gen. Jonathan Vance, the former chief of the defence staff, was facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour from two female subordinates. He has denied the allegations.
Since Global News’ exclusive reporting, the military has been embroiled in what leaders say is an existential “crisis” for the Canadian Armed Forces.
“The biggest thing for me, and what I’ve committed to when dealing with the different groups that I have talked to, is that we’re going to keep this on the agenda,” Baines told The Canadian Press.
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