Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search

Research program for addressing sexual misconduct

Background

In 2015, the Director General Military Personnel Research Analysis (DGMPRA) established the research program in response to the external review conducted by the External Review Authority, Madame Marie Deschamps. DGMPRA provides an integrated personnel research program for the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), addressing both strategic and operational research needs.

The Sexual Misconduct Response Centre uses the research findings from this program to inform the advice and guidance it provides to the Defence Team about addressing sexual misconduct and the Chief, Professional Conduct and Culture (CPCC) applies the research findings in its institutional change efforts.

Purpose

The main purpose of the research program is to better inform the Defence Team’s sexual misconduct policy and training initiatives, and its efforts to align members’ behaviours and attitudes with the ethical principles and core values of the profession of arms in Canada.

This research program focuses on:

DGMPRA conducts a comprehensive, multi-phased program of social science research that focuses on understanding key cultural dimensions, as well as incidences and responses to sexual misconduct, in the CAF and DND. The program covers a wide range of issues, including bystander behaviour, support services for affected persons and gender.

The Chief, Professional Conduct and Culture  projects and initiatives are also influenced by research which addresses the related topics of inclusion and respect, such as sexual misconduct, equity and diversity, gender, and ethical decision-making.

Research topics

  • Bystander Behaviour

    The following research products explore the topic of bystander behaviour and intervention.

    Contract report

    • Kocum, Lucie, Helen Lee and Kelsea Beadman (2017). Literature Review: The Bystander Effect and Sexual Misconduct (DRDC-RDDC-2017-C294).

    Scientific letter

    • Russell, Shannon and Sara Rubenfeld (2019). Bystander Behaviour: Individual, Organizational and Social Factors Influencing Bystander Intervention of Sexual Misconduct (DRDC-RDDC-2019-L172).

  • Culture and Culture Change

    The following research products explore culture and culture change in the workplace.

    Contract reports

    • Lin, Iris, Dan van der Werf, and Andrea Butler (2019). Measuring and Monitoring Culture Change: Claiming Success (DRDC-RDDC-2019-C039).
    • Lin, Iris, Andrea Butler and Glen Budgell (2017). Literature Review – Sexual Misconduct: Understanding Impacts of Culture (DRDC-RDDC-2017-C239).

    Scientific letter

    • Davis, Karen and Erinn Squires (2019). Culture Shift and Sexual Misconduct: Measurement and Monitoring Strategy (DRDC-RDDC-2019-L335).

    External publications

    • Davis, Karen (2016). Culture, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces: Research response to the External Review into Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment in the Canadian Armed Forces.
    • Rubenfeld, Sara and Stefan Wolejszo (2017). Responding to Sex- and Gender-Based Misconduct in the Military: Lessons Learned from the Deterrence Literature.

  • Gender and Gender Based Analysis Plus

    The following research products explore the influence of gender, Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+), inappropriate sex- and gender-based behaviours and the effect of gender on career mobility in the military.

    Contract reports

    • Ewles, Grace, Dan van der Werf and Andrea Butler (2017). Literature Review – Sexual Misconduct: GBA+ and the Concept of Professionalism (DRDC-RDDC-2017-C022).
    • Hadziomerovic, Aida, Patricia Baratta, Midori Nishiok and Glen Budgell (2017). Literature Review: Sexual Misconduct and (Mis)Understandings (Experience of LGBTQ+ Members) in Military Organizations (DRDC-RDDC-2017-C299).
    • Kocum, Lucie, Rebecca Lee, Midori Nishioika and Aida Hadziomerovic (2017). Masculinities and the Military: Literature Review (DRDC-RDDC-2017-C337).
    • Kocum, Lucie, Kate Calnan, Danielle Mercer and Taylor Oakie (2017). Sexual Misconduct: Leadership and Implicit Bias (DRDC-RDDC-2017-C333).

    Scientific letters

    • Gauthier, Michel and Michelle Straver (2018). Analysis of Maternity and Parental Leave in the Regular Force (DRDC-RDDC-2018-L334).
    • Hachey, Krystal K. (2017). Summary and Analysis of the Contract Report on “Sexual Misconduct and Gender-Based Analysis Plus and the Concept of Professionalism” (DRDC-RDDC-2017-L347).
    • Rubenfeld, Sara and Jennifer Peach (2020). Implicit Bias: Understanding and Mitigating Bias in the Canadian Armed Forces (DRDC-RDDC-2020-L082).

    External publication

    • Gauthier, Michel G. (2016). Identifying Internal Mobility Pattern Differences Within the Canadian Armed Forces, Journal of Defense Resources Management 7:2 , 49-56 (http://www.jodrm.eu/volume7_issue2.html).

  • Language

    The following research products explore language and how it impacts human behaviour.

    Contract reports:

    • Fletcher, Benjamin (2017). An Annotated Bibliography Exploring the Impact of Dehumanizing and Sexualized Language on Attitudes and Behaviour (DRDC-RDDC-2017-C222).
    • Lin, Iris, Andrea Butler and Glen Budgell (2017). Literature Review – Sexual Misconduct: How Language Effects Culture (DRDC-RDDC-2017-C230).

    Scientific letter

    • Davis, Karen D. (2017). Language, Culture and Inappropriate Sex- and Gender-Based Behaviours (DRDC-RDDC-2018-L039).

  • Leadership Dynamics

    Director General Military Personnel Research Analysis (DGMPRA) is conducting a comprehensive multi-phase research project on leadership dynamics. This project will assess perspectives and experiences of different levels of CAF leadership regarding their roles and responsibilities in relation to inappropriate sex- and gender-based behaviour in the CAF.

    Scientific letter

    • Rubenfeld, Sara and Shannon Russell (2018). Impact of Operation HONOUR: Summary and analysis of the perspectives of senior non-commissioned members (DRDC-RDDC-2018-L273).

    External Publication

    • Rubenfeld, Sara and Shannon Russell (2019). Leadership-Driven Culture Change: Senior Non-Commissioned Members’ Perspectives on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces.

  • Social Media

    The following research products explore social media and its role in sexual misconduct.

    Contract report:

    • van der Werf, Dan, Grace Ewles, Emrah Eren and Glen Budgell (2017). Literature Review: Role of Social Media in Sexual Misconduct (DRDC-RDDC-2017-C025).

    Scientific letter

    • Hachey, Krystal K. (2017). Summary and Analysis of the Contract Report on “Role of Social Media in Sexual Misconduct” (DRDC-RDDC-2017-L294).

  • Socialization

    DGMPRA is conducting a comprehensive multi-phase research project on socialization. This project will examine the impacts of CAF culture on military personnel as they go through basic military training, occupation training, and on to employment in military units and in deployed operations.

    Contract report

    • Bremner, Nicholas, Jessica Sorenson and Glen Budgell (2017). Sexual Misconduct: Socialization and Risk Factors Literature Review (DRDC-RDDC-2017-C302).

    Scientific letter

    • Fraser, Kyle and Shannon Russell (2017). Research Summary and Analysis Related to Contract Report on Sexual Misconduct and Early Training Environments (DRDC-RDDC-2017-L405).

  • Support for Affected Persons

    The following research products explore the topic of support for victims of sexual misconduct in the military, including the need for support, barriers to receiving support, and best support strategies for victims.

    Contract report

    • Kocum, Lucie and Samantha Cukier (2018). Need for Support, Barriers to Receiving Support, and Best Practices for Victims of Sexual Misconduct in the Military: Literature Review (DRDC-RDDC-2018-C246).

    Scientific Letter

  • Surveys on Sexual Misconduct in the CAF

    Statistics Canada Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the CAF

    As part of its commitment to a work environment free from sexual misconduct, the CAF contracted Statistics Canada to develop (in collaboration with DGMPRA), administer, and analyze a survey to measure sexual misconduct in the Regular Force and Primary Reserves.

    The Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces (SSMCAF) measures three forms of inappropriate sexual behaviour that occur either inside or outside of the military workplace (sexual assault, sexualized behaviour, and discriminatory behaviour).

    The SSMCAF also measures knowledge of directives and programs related to sexual misconduct, perceptions of CAF responses to sexual misconduct, and bystander behaviour.

    The results of the SSMCAF are available on the Statistics Canada website.

    Director General Military Personnel Research Analysis (DGMPRA) conducted further analyses of the SSMCAF 2016 data for Primary Reservists and for survey respondents who self-identified as lesbian, gay and bi-sexual.

    Scientific letters

    • LeBlanc, Manon (2021). Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces: Results from the Primary Reserve by class of service (2018) (DRDC-RDDC-2021-L023).
    • LeBlanc, Manon and Zhigang Wang (2017). Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces: Results from the Primary Reserve (DRDC-RDDC-2017-L022).
    • LeBlanc, Manon and Zhigang Wang (2017). Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces: Results from lesbian, gay and bi-sexual Regular Force and Primary Reserve members (DRDC-RDDC-2017-L297).
    • LeBlanc, Manon and Zhigang Wang (2017). Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces: Results from the Primary Reserve by class of service (DRDC-RDDC-2017-L345).

    2019 Survey on Individual Safety in the Postsecondary Student Population

    Between 2018 and 2019, Statistics Canada developed and conducted the Survey on Individual Safety in the Postsecondary Student Population (SISPSP), which measured behaviours that occurred in the postsecondary school-related setting. The SISPSP included a separate questionnaire specifically tailored to measuring experiences of students attending a Canadian military college in 2019.

    The results of the survey conducted with Canadian military college students are available in the report titled Experiences of unwanted sexualized and discriminatory behaviours and sexual assault among students at Canadian military colleges, 2019, published by the Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics.

    DGMPRA Surveys of Sexual Misconduct in the CAF

    The Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces (SSMCAF) was not administered to CAF members who were on basic military training or who were on initial occupation training courses. DGMPRA administered a survey based on the SSMCAF to these groups. Also, a separate survey was administered to members of the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS).

    Scientific letters

    • LeBlanc, Manon, Lesleigh Pullman, and Zhigang Wang (2018). Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces: Basic Military Officer Qualification Administration (DRDC-RDDC-2019-L249).
    • LeBlanc, Manon, Lesleigh Pullman, and Zhigang Wang (2018). Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces: Basic Military Qualification Administration (DRDC-RDDC-2018-L311).
    • Nesdole, Robert, Zhigang Wang & Manon LeBlanc (2018). Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces: Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (DRDC-RDDC-2018-L306).
    • Pullman, Lesleigh and Manon LeBlanc (2021). Sexual misconduct in occupational training at the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CFSME) and the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics (CFSCE) (DRDC-RDDC-2021-L049).
    • Silins, Stacey, Manon LeBlanc, Julie Coulthard, Zhigang Wang and Lesleigh Pullman (2018). Sexual misconduct in Royal Canadian Air Force occupational training (DRDC-RDDC-2018-L310).
    • Silins, Stacey, Manon LeBlanc and Zhigang Wang (2018). Sexual Misconduct in Military Personnel Command occupational training (DRDC-RDDC-2018-L014).

    Your Say Survey

    The Your Say Survey (YSS) is administered twice a year (spring and fall) for the purpose of allowing CAF members the opportunity to communicate their opinions, attitudes, and experiences on a range of important topics.

    Starting in fall 2016, the YSS included questions about Operation HONOUR and the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC). Results are currently available for 2016 and 2017; the survey scheduled for fall 2018 was postponed to early 2019 and the results will be published soon.

    Scientific letters

    • Daugherty, Carina and Chelsie Smith (2019). Fall 2017 Your Say Survey: Operation HONOUR Results (DRDC-RDDC-2019-L154).
    • Daugherty, Carina (2019). Fall 2017 Your Say Survey: Sexual Misconduct Response Centre Results (DRDC-RDDC-2019-L048).
    • Daugherty, Carina and Elizabeth Nelson (2017). Fall 2016 Your Say Survey: Sexual Misconduct Response Centre Results (DRDC-RDDC-2018-L001).

    Scientific briefs

    • Peach, J. (2017). Op HONOUR Efforts: Highlights from the Fall 2016 Your Say Survey (DRDC-RDDC-2017-B008).

    Presentations

    • Daugherty, Carina (2021). Winter 2020 Your Say Survey Results: Operation HONOUR.
    • Daugherty, Carina (2018). Fall 2017 Your Say Survey Results: Ratings of Operation HONOUR and use of Sexual Misconduct Response Centre.
    • Daugherty, Carina and Shannon Russell (2019). Winter 2019 Your Say Survey Results: Operation HONOUR.

    Canadian Forces Mental Health Survey

    Data from the 2013 Canadian Forces Mental Health Survey, which was administered by Statistics Canada, were used to estimate the prevalence of military-related sexual assault.

    External publication

    • Watkins, Kimberley, Rachel Bennett, Mark A. Zamorski, and Isabelle Richer (2017). Military-related sexual assault in Canada: a cross-sectional survey, CMAJ Open 5(2), doi: 10.9778/cmajo.20160140.

  • Workplace Harassment and Discrimination

    The following research products explore workplace harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

    Scientific report

    • Wright, J. & LeBlanc, M. (2017). Canadian Forces Workplace Harassment Survey: Analysis of Open-Ended Comments from the Regular Force and Primary Reserve (DRDC-RDDC-2017-R132).

    Scientific letters

    • LeBlanc, Manon and Justin Wright (2018). Harassment and Discrimination Research in the Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence (DRDC-RDDC-2018-L149).
    • LeBlanc, Manon and Julie Coulthard (2017). The Canadian Forces Workplace Harassment Survey: A compendium of results from 2013 to 2016 (DRDC-RDDC-2017-L284).

    Presentation

    • Daugherty, Carina and Shannon Russell (2019). Harassment and Discrimination in the Canadian Armed Forces: Results from the Winter 2019 Your Say Survey.

About this research

Available research products include the following:

Note: The list of research products is not exhaustive, and is subject to change.

Research products are not published on this page but are available upon request. To request a copy of a research product listed on this page, please submit your request using the feedback form on DND/CAF efforts to address sexual misconduct. Please note that products are available in the language in which the research was conducted, meaning research products are not available in both official languages unless provided by the author.

Back to top

Page details

Date modified: