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Ex-judge who advised Forces on sex assaults says reforms slow

Feb 8, 2019 | 9:15 AM

OTTAWA — Former Supreme Court justice Marie Deschamps says the Canadian military has been slow to change its highly sexualized culture.

Testifying to the House of Commons defence committee, she said victims of sexual aggression in the ranks aren’t served well by the military’s complaints process.

Deschamps led a report on sexual misconduct in the military in 2015.

She told the committee the “duty to report,” which compels service members to report criminal behaviour and trigger a formal process, does not support the needs of victims.

Her comments echo the findings of a fall report by the auditor general.

Defence chief Gen. Jonathan Vance defended the practice last month but said officials were looking at ways to empower and support victims.

The Canadian Press

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