Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre Restorative Engagement Program Updates—Fall/Winter 2025

Participation update

Class members

All class members who were interested in RE have been invited to participate. We thank everyone who submitted their intake form by the September 30, 2025. There are currently over 300 class members participating in the program. Everyone will have a chance to finish participating by the time the program ends in March 2026.

Defence representatives

Since the start of the program, 346 Defence representatives (DR) have participated or are currently participating in cohorts.

The final phase of the Restorative Engagement (RE) Program on Sexual Misconduct

This fall, many class members are meeting with restorative practitioners, and Defence representatives (DR) are taking part in cohorts. Most engagement sessions should finish by March 2026.

As the program wraps up, the RE Team is looking back at the learnings from class member participation and Defence representative cohorts about sexual misconduct. We are now preparing a Final Report that will share key insights to help the Defence Team keep working to address sexual misconduct.

As RE is ending, we thank you and every class member who shared their experiences, impacts and insights. Your contributions matter and make a difference in understanding the impacts of sexual misconduct and how to address it.

We want to hear from you

Your input helps us understand what worked well and what we can do better. You can share your thoughts with us through the following options.

• If you participated in the RE Program, you can
  • Complete a questionnaire to share your thoughts about your experience. Please contact us by email at RE-DR@forces.gc.ca if you want to complete the questionnaire.
  • Share your experience in writing by filling out the Consent Form for Testimonials. In the form, you choose how your testimonial can be used:
    • Inside the organization (training, research, internal communications)
    • Publicly (reports, external communications, RE Program final report)

The SMSRC also wants your feedback. You may fill the Client experience feedback form to help us make our services better for you now and in the future.

What happens after Defence representatives finish their participation in Restorative Engagement (RE)?

After listening to class members, Defence representatives (DR) make a personal action plan to help improve culture in their teams. They promise to put this plan into action as leaders and team members across CAF and DND.

Many also stay involved through the DR Alumni Community. This group keeps learning and sharing ideas to promote positive change.

DR Alumni continue to commit to helping create a better culture

They meet in groups to talk about what they have learned and share ideas. They talk about their experiences with their teams, colleagues, and leaders to help improve culture. This can include:

• giving feedback on policies on sexual misconduct
• promoting culture change in their own workplaces

Capturing and sharing lessons learned

Chief Professional Conduct and Culture works with the RE team and the DR Alumni Community to record important lessons and recommendations. This includes what DRs learned from class members and from their own experience in the RE Program. These lessons help the Defence Team improve policies, update training, and create new initiatives.

The evaluation report

The Assistant Deputy Minister of Review Services will publish an evaluation report on the RE Program in early 2026. Their team provides independent audits and evaluations. We’ll share the link with you when it is available.

How to reach out

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to RE-DR@forces.gc.ca or by phone at 1-833-998-2048.

You can also reach out through the SMSRC support line at 1-844-750-1648 to talk with a trained counsellor.

For updates on your claim, contact the CAF-DND Sexual Misconduct Class Action Settlement Claims Administrator at info@caf-dndsexualmisconductclassaction.ca or by telephone at 1-888-626-2611.

Thank you for your continued patience, and commitment to this important initiative. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive community for all.

Warm regards,

Restorative Engagement Program Team

^*This message has been sent to you because you indicated on your claim form for the CAF-DND Sexual Misconduct Class Action Settlement that you wish to receive updates about the Restorative Engagement (RE) program.