In the wake of the #MeToo movement, both public and private institutions are finally grappling with the insidiousness of sexual assault and harassment within their confines.
It therefore comes as no surprise that the Canadian military, a male-dominated institution, has been plagued by a number of scandals involving high-ranking officials. While the multiple public disclosures on this front are an important step in bringing about change, the responses to date have largely served to obscure the systemic nature of sexual violence in organizations.
In March, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan testified to the House of Commons defence committee, insisting that adding more women to the Canadian military was a proven way of challenging toxic masculinity and creating culture change. Just days later, Lt.-Col. Eleanor Taylor, deputy commander of the 36th Brigade Group, resigned her post amid persistent allegations of sexual misconduct among high-ranking military officials.