Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force 2018: Key trends since 2016

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Release date: May 22, 2019
Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force 2018: Key trends since 2016
Description: Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force 2018: Key trends since 2016

Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force 2018: Key trends since 2016

Sexual assault

Women in the Regular Force were 4 times more likely than men to be sexually assaulted.

Percent sexually assaulted in the 12 months preceding the survey
Gender Percent
Women 4.3%
Men 1.1%
Note: Includes incidents of sexual assault which occurred in the military workplace or involving other military members. Sexual assault includes sexual attacks, unwanted sexual touching, or sexual activity without the ability to consent.

The prevalence of sexual assault did not change between 2016 and 2018.

In 2018, similar to 2016:

  • 88% of incidents of sexual assault involved unwanted sexual touching.
  • 25% of victims said that someone in authority found out about the incident.

Sexualized or discriminatory behaviours

7 in 10 Regular Force members witnessed or experienced sexualized or discriminatory behaviour in the past 12 months, down from 8 in 10 in 2016.

5 in 10 women and 4 in 10 men who witnessed sexualized or discriminatory behaviour in 2018 took action.

Percent personally targeted
Gender 2016 2018
Women 31% 28%
Men 15% 13%
Note: Represents statistically significant changes between 2016 and 2018.

Reporting of targeted behaviours to someone in authority increased from 26% in 2016 to 28% in 2018.

Operation HONOUR

In 2018, Regular Force members were more optimistic about Operation HONOUR than they were in 2016.

Operation HONOUR
Regular Force members believe Operation HONOUR will be: 2016 2018
Slightly or not at all effective 28% 17%
Moderately effective 34% 28%
Very or extremely effective 30% 49%
Note: Responses of "don't know" are not shown.

For more information, see: Sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force, 2018

Source: Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces, 2018.

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