Providing Survivor Perspectives for Change

Survivor Perspectives Consulting Group is a service provider of professionally coordinated Uniform Sexual Trauma Survivor Perspectives, Training and Solutions across Canada.

 

As the decades-long crisis of Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) becomes more and more prominent, it is clear there is an erosion of the necessary trust between the organization and its members. In order to be an effective military, we need to know that the CAF "has our six". 

 

Survivor Perspectives Consulting Group started out as a small group of volunteers, all unfortunate experts in uniform sexual trauma, who wanted to help create positive change. 

 

We had the lived experience, and an idea - what is missing from the current uniform approach to managing this insidious issue, and how can we use our suffering to help others? 

 

Sexual misconduct/Harassment/Assault is not a military borne issue, it is a problem in society that is nurtured by a toxic military culture and allowed to flourish. Military training is not enough to address it because the education needs to go deeper. The engagement needs to be human, respectful, safe, and intense. Survivors, once they have progressed far enough in their journey of healing, can help bring a voice and a human side to this issue that is missing from an organizational response by assisting with a workshop through various means. 

 

We can bring the perspective that changes minds, shifts moral compasses, and is proven to be a necessary catalyst to deep introspection, along with a call to action to create a stronger and more inclusive uniform community. 

 

In every External Review, from the Madam Justice Marie Deschamps' Report to the review by The Standing Committee on the Status of Women to the Madam Justice Louise Arbour Report, it was recommended that the Canadian Armed Forces work with survivors towards solutions. Starting in June 2021, we began training groups of approximately 30 class participants at a time, using virtual serials predominantly due to Covid,  of all ranks, trades, Regular Force to Reserve Force, Canadian Rangers, and civilians. We discussed, debated, and adjusted to the changing needs and landscape, but always staying true to two goals:

 

1. Everyone needs to know how to support someone who is victimized with a survivor-first, trauma-informed approach so so they can start to feel empowered, and begin to heal.

2. Everyone needs to understand the roots of sexual misconduct, and how to address the early signs, before someone is victimized and how to identify potential perpetrators. 

 

We have trained over 2100 class participants in our Front Line Workshop (Uniformed Services Sexual Trauma First Aid and Intervention), and almost unanimously, the post course survey reviews call for this to be taught across the Canadian Armed Forces.

 

Survivor Perspectives Consulting Group is offering a proven, survivor-borne training solution to the Canadian Armed Forces and other uniform services, presenting a unique perspective that is needed in this time of crisis. 

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