Monday, March 9, 2009

Military Sex Offences Against Young People

This is a pretty damning report.

219 incidents were investigated, 156 charges were laid.

People outside the military made up the majority of victims at 34 per cent, while Canadian Forces members accounted for 19 per cent, cadets 17 per cent and young persons 30 per cent.

34% of the victims isn't a majority, unless they are counting the Cadets in this as well. Which would be correct, as Cadets are not part of the military. Something this news report has trouble differentiating.

Things to remember, there are 5000 CIC officers supervising and administering the Canadian Cadet Program, there are tens of thousands (I think maybe 50K?) of Cadets across the country. In Blackdown alone, close to 2000 Cadets go through summer training there. Cadets go through harassment and abuse prevention training every year, and when they go to summer camp.

All officers and adult supervisors must do everything in their power to prevent harassment and abuse. But, we must be realistic and remember that we can never prevent it all. All we can do is be vigilant, and take decisive action to stop and punish the perpetrators of these crimes.

1 comment:

KURSK said...

When i was in cadets in Toronto in the 70's, we had a parade of 'civilian instructors', and reserve officers who came and went because of conduct unbecoming..

It was open season on the female cadets, and i know of at least one girl who was sleeping with a captain who was in our sister reserve regiment.

This is an old story, unfortunately and the cadets are no different than the boy scouts or big brothers in the types of people they attract to administer young people.