Infographic: Overview of results from the Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces, 2016 – Regular Force

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Release date: November 28, 2016
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Infographic: Overview of results from the Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces, 2016 – Regular Force
Description for Infographic: Overview of results from the Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces, 2016 – Regular Force

Sexual assault

One in 60 Regular Force members was sexually assaulted in the past year.

Forms of sexual assault include:

Forms of sexual assault
Form of sexual assault Percent (%)
Unwanted sexual touching 77
Sexual attack 7
Sexual activity where unable to consent 4
Multiple types 12

Women in the Regular Force were more likely than men to experience sexual assault

Percent of Regular Force members who were victims of sexual assault
  Women (%) Men (%)
Past year 4.8 1.2
Past 5 years 10.4 2.0
Since joining the Canadian Armed Forces 27.3 3.8

Impact of sexual assault on victims

  • 26% of female victims and 13% of male victims had difficulty carrying out everyday activities
  • Being angry, being more cautious and feeling upset were the most common consequences among female victims; being annoyed was most common for male victims
  • Professional help was sought by 1 in 4 female victims and 1 in 10 male victims
  • Suicidal thoughts stemming from the sexual assault were reported by 7% of women and 5% of men
  • 7% of victims of sexual assault also suffered physical injuries

Sexualized and discriminatory behaviours

Overall, four in five Regular Force members saw, heard or experienced inappropriate sexual or discriminatory behaviour

Types of sexualised and discriminatory behaviour
Types of sexualised and discriminatory behaviour Saw, heard, or experienced (%)Footnote 1 Believed it to be offensive (%)Footnote 2
Footnote 1
  • One in six Regular Force members was personally targeted by one or more of these behaviours
  • For each behaviour measured, women were more likely than men to be personally targeted

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2
  • Behaviours related to discrimination were considered more offensive.
  • Men were less likely to be offended by sexualized or discriminatory behaviours

Return to first footnote 2 referrer
Workplace benefits in exchange for sex 2 51
Sexually suggestive photos or videos without consent 3 42
Repeated pressure for dates or sexual relationships 4 47
Discrimination based on gender identity 5 58
Indecent exposure 7 33
Discrimination based on sexual orientation 8 62
Unwanted physical contact 10 45
Mistreatment due to person's sex 11 63
Sexually explicit materials 13 29
Comments about sex and job suitability 18 48
Unwanted sexual attention 18 32
Stereotyping based on person's sex 22 35
Inappropriate discussion about sex life 34 26
Inappropriate sexual comments 39 32
Sexual jokes 76 10

Perceptions

51% of women and 36% of men believe that inappropriate sexual behaviour is a problem within the Canadian Armed Forces, but most believe that their current unit is taking inappropriate sexual behaviour seriously

Regular Force members' perceptions of their current unit's response to inappropriate sexual behaviour
My current unit... Women (%) Men (%)
...would take complaints about inappropriate behaviours seriously 89 93
...does not tolerate inappropriate sexual behaviour 89 92

Source: Statistics Canada, Survey on Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces, 2016.

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Copyright

Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2016

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 11-627-M

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

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