Latest update: May 25, 2020
Have you been affected by sexual misconduct in the Canadian armed forces workplace?
If yes, you can now submit a claim for financial compensation and to participate in a restorative engagement program.
What is the Deadline to submit a claim?
What is the Deadline to submit a claim?
- You have until November 24, 2021 to submit a claim.
- No. It applies to people who experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, or discrimination based on gender, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation while serving in the CAF, working for DND, or for the Staff of the Non-Public Funds, Canadian Forces.
- It is for all genders.
- Financial compensation ranging between $5,000 to $55,000. Class Members who experienced exceptional harm may be eligible for amounts up to $155,000.
- Changes to CAF and Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) policies.
- An optional opportunity to share your experiences with senior CAF-DND representatives through a facilitated restorative engagement process.
- You can still apply.
- No. Unless you are asking to submit an official complaint or if you choose reveal more specific information during the restorative process.
- If VAC denied your claim in the past, please know that this settlement also included changes/clarifications in VAC policies. This means you can submit an application for reconsideration if it has been denied in the past, even if it when through the final appeal process.
- Learn more about the settlement and submit a claim, visit the class action website at www.caf-dndsexualmisconductclassaction.ca or call 1-888-626-2611
- Read our guide to help you find out what evidence can support a disability claim for a mental or a physical injury as a result of a Military Sexual Trauma.
Where can I get support?
- You can request to join our secret Facebook group to get moral support from your peers.
- Contact the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre
Meet the representative plaintiffs
Amy Graham, ret. Leading Seaman
Amy Graham is 34 years old and served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Communications Researcher for six years between 2004 and 2010. She was deployed to Afghanistan for seven months from October 2009 until May 2010. A sexual assault by one of her superiors on her way home from Afghanistan solidified her decision to release from the military, which she did before the full onset of PTSD symptoms. In 2014, Amy was diagnosed with severe PTSD and chronic major depression. Veterans Affairs recommended she join the rehabilitation program which gives veterans access to treatment and vocational services after treatment.
Today in Gatineau, the Court Martial related to her sexual assault is concluding. The setbacks she has faced as a result of the assault combined with the frustration of the legal process and the awareness of the prevalence of assaults and poor justice in the military has fuelled Amy to fight for more. Not just for herself, but for others facing similar problems. She hopes that this lawsuit will raise awareness to these issues and hasten the course of putting an end to them.
Today in Gatineau, the Court Martial related to her sexual assault is concluding. The setbacks she has faced as a result of the assault combined with the frustration of the legal process and the awareness of the prevalence of assaults and poor justice in the military has fuelled Amy to fight for more. Not just for herself, but for others facing similar problems. She hopes that this lawsuit will raise awareness to these issues and hasten the course of putting an end to them.
Larry Beattie, ret. Master Seaman
Larry JG Beattie, CD (born 1961) in Windsor, Quebec, joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1978 at the age of 17 years old. In February 1979, he was posted to his first ship HMCS SKEENA based out of Halifax, and was sexually assaulted and raped by another sailor who was higher ranked than he was. His life was also threatened if he spoke to anyone about it.
“I started drinking heavily shortly after the assault and thereafter as a coping mechanism, I cried myself to sleep many times.” He is now receiving a monthly pension from VAC for his left hand and a PTSD unrelated to his sexual assault. He has received a lump sum for erectile dysfunction which VAC blames on his medications. “My sexual dysfunction has been part of my entire life. It cost me 3 marriages and made me an alcoholic, I have been to detox and a 28 day in-house program for addiction, I have been to AA but I keep falling off the wagon as this has always been my coping mechanism.”
“I started drinking heavily shortly after the assault and thereafter as a coping mechanism, I cried myself to sleep many times.” He is now receiving a monthly pension from VAC for his left hand and a PTSD unrelated to his sexual assault. He has received a lump sum for erectile dysfunction which VAC blames on his medications. “My sexual dysfunction has been part of my entire life. It cost me 3 marriages and made me an alcoholic, I have been to detox and a 28 day in-house program for addiction, I have been to AA but I keep falling off the wagon as this has always been my coping mechanism.”
Nadine Schultz-Nielsen, ret. Leading Seaman
Nadine Schultz-Nielsen, CD (born 1978) grew up on Cape Breton Island and was naturally drawn to the Navy. She joined HMCS IROQUOIS as a Sonar Operator in 2002 and deployed on OP APOLLO in 2003. She also served out of trade as a Flight Attendant at 437(T) Squadron, and as a Component Transfer Clerk at National Defence Headquarters.
Nadine's first sexual assault was by a standards instructor at Canadian Forces Fleet School Esquimalt, BC, and she continued to experience assaults and harassment for the duration of her career. Nadine started drinking heavily shortly after arriving in Halifax as a coping mechanism; although the Navy felt like home, the daily harassment and groping were too much. Once she was able to distance herself from the ship environment she started seeking help and planned her escape to a safer more inclusive environment through out-of-trade postings and a blocked occupational transfer. When Nadine pursued a medical release for MST related trauma, she was subject to significant retaliation.
After her release in 2013, Nadine discovered that not only were there no MST-related services available through Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS), but Veterans Affairs also had nothing to offer as far as MST specific support. Nadine feels that it is important to be a part of the change she wants to see. By telling her story, she hopes to create awareness and open a dialog so others can feel safe supporting and advocating for victims of abuse within the CAF. By addressing the culture that continues to be accepted within the chain of command, Nadine hopes to encourage positive change in the CAF.
Nadine's first sexual assault was by a standards instructor at Canadian Forces Fleet School Esquimalt, BC, and she continued to experience assaults and harassment for the duration of her career. Nadine started drinking heavily shortly after arriving in Halifax as a coping mechanism; although the Navy felt like home, the daily harassment and groping were too much. Once she was able to distance herself from the ship environment she started seeking help and planned her escape to a safer more inclusive environment through out-of-trade postings and a blocked occupational transfer. When Nadine pursued a medical release for MST related trauma, she was subject to significant retaliation.
After her release in 2013, Nadine discovered that not only were there no MST-related services available through Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS), but Veterans Affairs also had nothing to offer as far as MST specific support. Nadine feels that it is important to be a part of the change she wants to see. By telling her story, she hopes to create awareness and open a dialog so others can feel safe supporting and advocating for victims of abuse within the CAF. By addressing the culture that continues to be accepted within the chain of command, Nadine hopes to encourage positive change in the CAF.
Are you in need of support?
Request to join our secret Facebook group
Why a Secret Facebook group?
Why a Secret Facebook group?
- It does not show on your timeline on your Facebook account
- Non-members of the secret group will not know that you are part of the Secret group (only members of the secret group will know)
- Your posts can only be viewed by you and other members
- It is not possible to share posts out of the secret groups and be viewed by non-members
- This group is Exclusively for survivors of military sexual trauma who served or is serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.