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.
9 things you should know about itsjust700
- Our group is made only of ex-military or currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces that have experienced military sexual trauma (MST).
- We have certified peer support members, a psychologist and a lawyer specialized in MST.
- We have experience in media inquiries, VAC benefits and service animals.
- We have bunch of information about therapy groups and events happening around the country
- When possible, we arrange meetings and provide support during a deposition, a media exposure or any other need.
- 17% are men.
- On a des francophones aussi!
- We are volunteers with no funding which means we are completely independent of DND.
- We identify our specific needs, collaborate and advocate to improve services to MST survivors.
MST doesn't take time off ...we don't either!
Having a though time at night or on a weekend? Email us at itsjust700@gmail.com and ask anything or request to join our Secret Facebook group! Someone is always nearby. Also find useful online apps and websites in the section We Like and Resources to get instant tools to help you now. On this note, please take care and in case of emergency, please look at our Contacts section.
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.