**** DND Media Release
The Sexual Misconduct Response Centre Launches a New Grant Program to Increase Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors
Improving access to support services across Canada for those who have been affected by sexual misconduct within the Defence community is a top priority for the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
Today, the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC) launched a Call for Applications for its new Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors Grant Program. The program will fund projects led by not-for-profit Canadian, community-based organizations with the capacity and expertise to support people affected by sexual misconduct in the wider Defence community and implement initiatives such as, but not limited to:
- sexual assault centres
- virtual platforms
- research and academic institutions
- counselling services
Eligible projects will provide support services to affected people who have been underserved, including people living in rural and remote areas, Black people, other racialized groups, Indigenous People, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ people, immigrants, and those who may not be able to access support in person.
Two types of grants will be offered through the Program:
- one-time funding of up to $50,000 per eligible project
- recurrent funding of up to $75,000 annually, for a maximum of three years
Eligible organizations are invited to apply to the Grant Program from October 18 until November 15, 2022.
With investments of $10 million over five years from Budget 2021, the Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors Grant Program is part of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence led by Women and Gender Equality Canada. It also forms part of the Department of National Defence’s Pathways to Progress approach to building comprehensive support structures through dialogue with survivors, increasing scope and access to resources.
Quick Facts
- The SMRC manages the Sexual Assault Centre Contribution Program, which will end in 2023 and be replaced by the newGrant Program.
- Through the Grant Program, the SMRC is committed to reducing the administrative burden associated with reporting requirements of contribution programs.
- The Grant Program was developed based on the request of persons affected by sexual misconduct in the Defence Community to have access to a broader range of culturally competent, confidential, specialized care and support services.
- The Grant Program will allow theincreased collaboration between community-based and CAF service providers, such as bases and support units and Canadian Forces Health Services Centres.
- The SMRC will review all submissions and communicate with successful applicants in fall/winter 2022.Funding may be provided to organizations as early as January 2023, and successful applicants will be listed on Canada.ca.
