The Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces are beginning the process of repealing regulations known as the “duty to report” as part of cultural reforms following the sexual misconduct crisis.
The longstanding regulations require military members to report any kind of misconduct that violates the military code of service to the relevant authorities. And while intended to promote order and discipline, the rule has been highly criticized for how it applies in forcing reporting of sexual misconduct even if the survivors and victims may not want to report.
In retired Supreme Court of Canada justice Louise Arbour’s external review of the CAF’s handling of sexual misconduct, spurred by months of exclusive Global News reporting, she called for the repeal of the duty to report due to the potential to harm victims.
“Sexual assault survivors weigh their options. If they choose to remain silent, they do not have to fear further punishment or face unwelcome exposure if others inform on their predicament against their wishes,” Arbour wrote in her report ...
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