Cadets, Junior Canadian Rangers, family members of the wider Defence community, aged 16 and older, receive support from the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre

May 29, 2023 - Defence Stories

On 11 May 2023, the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC) officially expanded its support services to Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers, as well as to families of members of the wider Defence community.

"Families" includes members of traditional and non-traditional families and those with significant interpersonal relations with loved ones who have been affected by sexual misconduct. This expansion considerably broadens the scope of support services that are offered by the SMSRC to currently serving and former CAF members/Veterans and DND public service employees.

While the SMSRC has previously received calls from Cadets, Junior Canadian Rangers and family members, they were often referred to community-based organizations so they could receive immediate and ongoing support. Now, with this referral experience and the expanded mandate, the SMSRC can now offer services directly to these groups.

Cadets, Junior Canadian Rangers and family members, aged 16 and older, can call the SMSRC and receive confidential support, information and referrals to resources from CAF, DND, provincial, territorial, and community-based organizations across Canada.

At this time, this expansion is only to those aged 16 and older. As we work to ensure necessary safeguards are in place for youth, we will expand our support services once more to those under the age of 16.

For confidential support and information on resources, you can call 1-844-750-1648, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A counsellor will listen to your situation and provide you support in the official language of your choice. For information on all SMSRC services and programs, you can visit the SMSRC webpage. You can also email us at DND.SMRC-CIIS.MDN@forces.gc.ca. We reply to emails during business hours, 7 am to 5 pm, Eastern Time.