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In considered one of her first acts as Canada’s new defence minister, Anita Anand introduced immediately she’s transferring the investigation and prosecution of sexual misconduct circumstances throughout the Canadian Forces into the civilian justice system.
The transfer follows a suggestion from retired Supreme Courtroom justice Louise Arbour.
The navy has been reeling over a collection of sexual misconduct investigations. Since early February 2021, 11 present and former senior Canadian navy leaders have been sidelined, investigated or pressured into retirement from a number of the strongest and prestigious posts in the defence institution.
Arbour is main an exterior evaluate into sexual harassment and misconduct within the Canadian navy. She’s advising the federal authorities on how an impartial, exterior reporting system — one which permits victims to report acts violence and misconduct with out concern of reprisal — might be put in place.
Her evaluate, which started in April, is predicted to final a few 12 months. Anand’s transfer immediately is in response to one of many interim suggestions Arbour gave to Anand’s predecessor, Harjit Sajjan, final month.
Arbour mentioned that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) ought to proceed to conduct administrative opinions of sexual misconduct circumstances in parallel with civilian courts, no matter whether or not these circumstances end in expenses.
Arbour mentioned, nonetheless, that “specific consideration” must be given to “how and when civilian authorities — in the midst of an investigation — ought to convey related details about the investigation to the CAF management.”
Survivors of sexual assault and misconduct within the ranks testifying earlier than current parliamentary committees have referred to as for an exterior reporting company.
These committees launched hearings after the nation’s two most senior navy commanders — retired common Jonathan Vance and Admiral Artwork McDonald — have been accused individually of inappropriate behaviour.
I’ve accepted in full Madame Arbour’s suggestions to maneuver the investigation & prosecution of sexual misconduct circumstances to the civilian system. <a href=”https://t.co/ZD8Hr6bF9c”>pic.twitter.com/ZD8Hr6bF9c</a>
—@AnitaOakville
In a media assertion, Arbour mentioned she welcomed Anand’s determination.
“As outlined in my interim report, the problem of sexual misconduct within the CAF has opened the establishment to unprecedented scrutiny and an equally unprecedented alternative for change. I’ll proceed as a part of my evaluate to determine these alternatives in all of the areas that fall inside my mandate,” she mentioned.
Extra to come back …
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