Latest news with #militaryconduct
CBC
5 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Military asked to consider dismissing members after 1st offence of unwanted sexual touching
Social Sharing Defence Minister David McGuinty wants the military to review a trend in civilian court toward judges supporting workplaces firing Canadians for any unwanted sexual touching on the job — even if it happened once. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is launching new advisory panels this fall to discipline military members for sexually inappropriate behaviour. The minister is supportive, his office said, of an external monitor's recent recommendation that if the military wants to modernize its conduct process, it could look at a clear pattern in civilian court over the past decade. "Now, more than ever, any type of non-consensual touching of a sexual nature within the context of one's employment is likely to lead to dismissal, even for a single event and even if there are mitigating factors," external monitor Jocelyne Therrien wrote in her June report. Victims and experts have long raised concerns that the military has moved members involved in cases like groping to other units, given them warnings or other remedial measures. Therrien wrote that gone are the days where that's a "viable solution" and it could expose the victim or other staff to risk. The government hired Therrien to track the military's progress implementing changes to try and reform its handling of sexual misconduct. Retired Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour's landmark 2022 report made sweeping recommendations after a series of senior military leaders were removed from prominent roles amid allegations, causing a damaging and high-profile crisis. Therrien estimates the military is on track to meet "the intent" of Arbour's recommendations by the end of the year. But she flags one of the biggest challenges for military is that files related to misconduct are scattered across different databases which makes it difficult to get a clearer picture of the current state of the issue. WATCH | Can the military change how it handles sexual misconduct?: Is the military capable of changing how it handles sexual misconduct? 3 years ago Therrien's latest report said case law has "rapidly" and "significantly" evolved over the past 10 years. "In reviewing these judgments, I note a clear trend towards supporting dismissal for any sexual touching in the workplace," she wrote. More civilian judges are using the logic that sexual harassment involving unwanted touching is "unequivocally" considered sexual assault which is a criminal offence in Canada, she wrote. Changes to the Canadian Labour Code in 2021 also require federally regulated workplaces to ensure they are harassment-free. Not dismissing people in some cases can lead to liability claims, wrote Therrien. "The fact that similar cases in the past were dealt with through administrative measures other than dismissal no longer carries any weight," Therrien said. The minister's office says McGuinty supports Therrien's recommendation that "the significant evolution in workplace harassment case law should be considered as the CAF continues modernization." McGuinty's office told CBC News the minister will be looking for the upcoming panels "to yield real results." They will include law and sexual misconduct experts, the office said. Therrien's report also said the military is considering launching a "scale of severity" to help determine if members should be kicked out or otherwise reprimanded. People moved around Megan MacKenzie, a professor at Simon Fraser University who specializes in military culture, says the CAF should adopt a one-strike-you're-out policy for unwanted sexual touching. "This is a really significant recommendation," said MacKenzie. "There is just no ambiguity for anyone in any workplace at this point in time that inappropriate touching, touching of a sexual nature, is not OK." In the past, these kinds of cases were often called "low-level harassing behaviours" and the military dealt with it internally including by shuffling people around as a temporary solution, she said. "That doesn't solve the problem," she said. "It moves the problem to a different unit and the alleged victim and the accuser may still have interactions with each other." The CAF has been grappling with sexual misconduct for decades while saying it has a "zero-tolerance policy," she said. MacKenzie said kicking out people for unwanted touching would demonstrate that policy. Supporting victims Retired master corporal Sherry Bordage, who reported being groped by her superior, said it's time for the military to act. "Why allow predators to continue to hide within the ranks? What possible good could that serve?" she said. Bordage reported her platoon commander touched her breast and made inappropriate comments at a mess dinner in 2010 at CFB Borden. In military court, a Canadian Armed Forces judge stayed proceedings for the criminal sexual assault charge against Master Warrant Officer D.J. Prosser, according to the court martial documents. Prosser pleaded guilty to a lesser military service offence for ill treatment of a subordinate, the records show. Military judge Lt.-Col. Louis-Vincent d'Auteuil noted he took into consideration several mitigating factors, including that it was "an isolated incident" and "unusual" for Prosser who had spent 30 years serving in the military at that time, his reason for sentencing said. The military judge gave Prosser a reprimand and a $1,500 fine — and allowed him to continue serving. Bordage said she left the forces in 2014 because she didn't feel safe and faced reprisals from her chain of command for reporting the incident. She says the military should kick out members for unwanted sexual touching to keep others safe. "This decision, had it been implemented during my time, would have been night and day," said Bordage. The CAF has not yet responded to a CBC News request for comment.
The Sun
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Ex-Royal Navy boss sacked and stripped of admiral's rank over secret affair with subordinate
THE former head of the Royal Navy has been sacked and stripped of his admiral rank over a secret affair with a subordinate. Ex-First Sea Lord Sir Ben Key, 59, is the most senior officer in the Navy's 500-year history to face the dishonour. 1 The Sun revealed in May he had been suspended and banned from resigning while a probe ran its course. The married dad of three had vowed to stamp out 'intolerable behaviour' in the Navy, regardless of rank. The MoD said: 'Following a full investigation, Admiral Sir Ben Key's behaviour has been found to have fallen far short of values and standards expected. This has resulted in termination of service and his commission.' Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the head of the Armed Forces, said: 'We investigate all allegations of inappropriate behaviour and will take robust action against anyone found to have fallen short.' Sir Ben could now be stripped of his knighthood and CBE. Pals say wife Elly is standing by him. He did not face court martial as the affair was not a criminal offence. He was accused of breaking Navy rules which ban sexual relationships between commanders and lower ranks. The Armed Forces are also barred from actions which risk or wreck comrades' marriages. His lover has not been identified, but sources claimed she was a senior officer married to a sailor, who lodged a complaint. Britain's 'Q' boffins unveil underwater drone to take on Putin's cable-cutters Sir Ben, who had a stellar 41-year Navy career, said: 'I deeply regret my conduct in spring last year, which fell well below the standard I set for myself and that which I set for the Royal Navy. 'I am very sorry to those I have hurt, and I apologise to everyone who serves with the Royal Navy. 'I am very grateful for the support of my wife, family and friends during a very difficult time.' Exclusive by Robin Perrie A NAVY commander swerved jail after head-butting a Marine Sergeant Major at a nuclear base. Lt Cdr Gary Fletcher, 34, behaved like a 'taproom bruiser' when brawling with Hamish Robb after a boxing event at HMNB Clyde, known as Faslane. The military court at Catterick, North Yorks, heard the pair thrashed around on the floor as RSM Robb tried to restrain the 'agitated' senior officer. Fletcher had been boozing to cope with a break-up, it was said. He admitted battery and behaviour likely to discredit His Majesty's forces. He was sentenced to two years loss of seniority, his salary docked, and promotion banned.
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Former head of Royal Navy sacked after conduct ‘fell far short'
An investigation into former Royal Navy head Admiral Sir Ben Key found he fell 'far short of the values and standards expected'. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said a full investigation has resulted in the termination of his service and commission. Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said: 'We expect the highest standards of behaviour from our service personnel and our civil servants. 'We investigate all allegations of inappropriate behaviour and will take robust action against anyone found to have fallen short of our standards, regardless of their seniority.' Admiral Sir Ben said: 'I deeply regret my conduct in the spring of last year, which fell well below the standard I set for myself and that which I set for the Royal Navy. 'As such, I fully accept the decision of the Defence Council. 'I am very sorry to those I have hurt personally, and I apologise to everyone who serves with the Royal Navy.' Sir Ben was the first sea lord from 2021 until May this year, when he was succeeded by General Sir Gwyn Jenkins of the Royal Marines. Educated at Bromsgrove School, in Worcestershire, Admiral Sir Ben joined the navy in 1984 as a university cadet. He qualified as both helicopter aircrew and as a principal warfare officer and as a junior officer saw service around the world in a variety of frigates and destroyers.
BBC News
02-07-2025
- BBC News
Former head of Royal Navy sacked after investigation into behaviour
The former head of the Royal Navy has had his service terminated following an investigation into his behaviour, the Ministry of Defence has Sir Ben Key's behaviour was found to have "fallen far short of values and standards expected of service personnel" a statement said. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
Wall Street Journal
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
Standards Slip at Fort Bragg
'On Display at D.C.'s Parade: Tanks, Drones and the Military's Identity Crisis' (Review, June 14) cites President Trump's speech at Fort Bragg in which he used a group of soldiers as stage props in a piece of political theater. The authors refer to it as 'a breach of traditional decorum.' I believe it is an egregious violation of U.S. military standards of conduct. Our armed forces have sedulously separated themselves from partisan politics—and soldiers on duty, in uniform, booing or cheering remarks in a blatantly political speech are acting in contravention to those standards. One might note that politicians don't campaign on military installations; nor should they. That a politician would use soldiers in this way is profoundly disrespectful to the Constitution and to the troops who are sworn to defend it. It appears that refresher training in standards of conduct would be in order at Fort Bragg. Moreover, someone might inform the president of what type of speech or behavior is appropriate for uniformed military audiences.
