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Earlier this year, the Canadian military reported more than 500 cases of sexual assault since 2015.
Top Canadian officials have apologized for the government’s failure to stop widespread military sexual abuse.
Name it new Defense Minister Anita Anand said on Monday that too many people in uniform had been sexually assaulted or discriminated against on the basis of gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.
“We must acknowledge the pain and trauma that many have suffered because the organization that is responsible for protecting and defending our people has not always protected and defended its members,” Anand said at a news conference.
“I apologize on behalf of the Canadian government.
The apology went into the settlement of a class action lawsuit filed against the government by nearly 19,000 military and retired 19,000 members, as well as civil defense personnel.
Several senior officers have been involved in investigations into sexual misconduct, including former Chief of Defense Jonathan Vance, who has since been accused of obstructing justice in that investigation.
The current head of the defense, General Wayne Eyre, said in a statement on Monday that “trust can be the difference between life and death, and we betrayed that trust.”
Women soldiers they have complained that the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a self-described feminist, has failed to do enough to address an issue highlighted in a landmark 2015 report.
Canada has promised former International Criminal Court prosecutor Louise Arborri to help clean up an army culture.
Anand last month approved a recommendation by Arbor to refer the investigation and litigation of the military’s sexual conduct to civilian authorities, “because of its serious distrust of the military justice system.”
In April, the military reported to Parliament that since 2015, there have been 581 sexual assaults and 221 sexual harassments.
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