Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre Accepting Applications for 2024

The Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC) is now taking applications for the 2023-2024 Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors Grant Program.

The Grant Program focuses on expanding support services available to the wider Defence community and those impacted by sexual misconduct by increasing collaboration between community-based and Department of National Defence (DND)/Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) providers, according to a DND press release.

“We are committed to ensuring that survivors of sexual misconduct in the Defence community have access to comprehensive care. By funding projects across Canada, this Grant Program ensures that our people have access to a broader range of support services. We will continue to invest in the wellbeing of our Defence community and build an institution where all members feel respected, protected, and empowered to reach their full potential,” said Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence.

About the 2023-2024 Grant Program

This year, the SMSRC hopes to establish grant agreements with centres in regions where grant agreements do not exist. Therefore, priority will go to service providers in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

However, DND still encourages providers from across the country to apply.

“Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans should be able to access care and support when and where they need it. Through this program, the Government of Canada is partnering with community groups and researchers from across the country to accomplish just that. Together, we will break down barriers in accessing support to ensure that those who served our country have the support they deserve,” said Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.

There are two types of grants:

• a one-time project-based grant with a maximum amount of $50,000 and
  a reoccurring funding of up to $75,000 annually for up to three years.
• Not-for-profit and community-based organizations can be organizations that are sexual assault centres, virtual platforms, research and academic institutions and counselling services, according to DND.

These centres should provide support to people who are:

• “women, men, Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and additionally sexually and gender diverse (2SLGBTQI+) people;
• First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; Black, Asian and other racialized individuals; people living with disabilities; religious minorities;
• those living in an official language minority community;
• those living in northern, rural and remote communities; others with diverse identity factors and people who cannot access services in person,” states the press release.

Funding will begin in early 2024.

Grant Program background

Launched in the fall of 2022, the Grant Program funds 32 projects in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Ontario.

The Grant Program falls under the It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, a strategy from the general government’s National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. It is also part of DND’s Pathways to Progress approach, which seeks to expand support services to victims of sexual misconduct.

“The SMSRC Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors Grant Program first launched in 2022 and is now funding 32 projects led by community-based service providers across most regions in Canada to support those affected by sexual misconduct. I look forward to establishing grant agreements with centres in regions where grant agreements do not currently exist and expand the program’s geographical reach to the wider Defence community in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut,” said Linda Rizzo-Michelin, Chief Operating Officer, Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC), Department of National Defence.

Applications can be submitted from Sept. 21 to Nov. 3 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

Submit applications here. For more information visit here.