A little about ourselves
This page is run by a group of Canadian volunteers also living with a military sexual trauma. It is dedicated to current and past service members of the Canadian military who survived a work related sexual trauma. We are here to provide confidential positive peer support and to inform members of the tools, the events and the services available to them.
We are also here to inspire or to be inspired with success stories, tricks that worked for other members and regional events to spread healing and awareness.
Please consider joining our secret Facebook Page and share this site to other Canadian MST survivors. The more the merrier.
What do we provide?
For MST survivors...
- A way to connect with other MST survivors across Canada
- Information about research, events, support, programs and services available to MST survivors
- Access to information specific to MST needs when claiming benefits
- Opportunities to have a voice on MST-related matters
- Access to 24/7 peers
- Opportunities to meet in-person with other peers
- Volunteer opportunities
- Access to support person (when available) to attend stressful meetings and events
- A way to access online information such as blogs from other MST survivors and other online mental health resources in complete anonymity
- A place that also include men with Military Sexual Trauma
- A place where they can be happy, sad and also feel empowered
- Know they are not alone, people do care and the there is nothing to be ashamed of.
For MST allies
- A place for researchers to find MST survivors to do their work
- A way for journalist to find MST survivors willing and able to comment
- A more unified voice to express MST-related needs and remaining systemic barriers to federal instances
- A way for health care provider to promote care programs tailored to MST-related needs
- A place where other Veterans groups can refer MST Veterans
- Opportunities to spread awareness and access ideas on how to be part of the solution such as the
- Teal Scarfs and the Hand Project
For the general population
- Advocate for better and safer work opportunities for men and women in the CAF
- Advocate for better care and support for members of their community injured by a Military Sexual Trauma so they can keep thriving in our society
- A peace of mind for family members and friends that there is a place for their love ones injured by Sexual violence in the military
For CAF members not injured by sexual violence
- A place to turn to if this ever happens to you or a person you know.
What is behind our name?
The release of the 2015 External Review into Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment in the Canadian Armed Forces triggered much hostility towards MST survivors within existing online support groups for veterans. One argument that was often repeated attempted to minimize the problem to only the 700 individuals who contributed to that External Review.
That night, Marie-Claude Gagnon, an MST survivor herself, decided to create a safe and non-judgmental online space to allow men and women suffering from military sexual trauma to group together and reconnect with peers. She named it “It’s Just 700”. The group quickly grow. Common issues were raised. The group was quickly requested to act as a subject matter expert in the consultation processes within the Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Canada. Canadian researchers also started to recruit members of the group to study military sexual trauma and military sexual misconduct in Canada.
That night, Marie-Claude Gagnon, an MST survivor herself, decided to create a safe and non-judgmental online space to allow men and women suffering from military sexual trauma to group together and reconnect with peers. She named it “It’s Just 700”. The group quickly grow. Common issues were raised. The group was quickly requested to act as a subject matter expert in the consultation processes within the Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Canada. Canadian researchers also started to recruit members of the group to study military sexual trauma and military sexual misconduct in Canada.