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Lessons to learn: Strategies to sustain a restorative program for survivors of military sexual trauma

Authors

  • Linna Tam-Seto Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • Lisa Garland-Baird Veterans Affairs Canada, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
  • Nicholas Held Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
  • Alexandra Heber Veterans Affairs Canada, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
  • Lori Buchart It’s Not Just 20K
  • Ashley Ibbotson Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
  • Shannon Orchard Young Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
  • Sarah Lade Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
  • Heather Millman Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
  • Andrea Brown Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
  • Bibora Imre-Millei Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
  • Marguerite (Sam) Samplonius It’s Not Just 20K
  • Christina Chrysler Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
  • Margaret McKinnon Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada; St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35502/jcswb.413

Keywords:

social innovation, restorative practices, military sexual trauma, people with lived experiences, Canadian Armed Forces

Abstract

Since the release of the Arbour Report in 2015, efforts have been made within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Department of National Defence (DND) to develop and employ programs and services to support people with lived experiences (PWLE) of military sexual trauma (MST). Based on a pilot initiative, the current paper describes some strategies that may contribute to the success of programs aimed at reconciliation and recovery for both people who have been directly harmed and the institution as a whole. These strategies are grounded in the specific context of those reconciling the trauma from MST and consistent with the wider landscape of research and best practices for restorative programs. Strategies include creating a sustainability plan; enhancing planning and preparation; strengthening meeting frameworks; and developing post-meeting strategies. Many of these strategies are aimed at addressing institutional betrayal and healing for survivors and representatives of the organization.

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Published

2025-03-20

Versions

How to Cite

Tam-Seto, L., Garland-Baird, L., Held, N., Heber, A., Buchart, L., Ibbotson, A., … McKinnon, M. (2025). Lessons to learn: Strategies to sustain a restorative program for survivors of military sexual trauma. Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being, 10(1), 48–53. https://doi.org/10.35502/jcswb.413

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Social Innovation Narrative(s)

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Author(s)

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