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Canada's Top Soldier General Thomas J. Lawson Must be Demoted and Discharged

"...because we're biologically wired in a certain way and there will be those who believe it is a reasonable thing to press themselves and their desires on others,"  says Canada's Chief of The Defence Staff. 

"This 'rape apologist' message explaining that men are biologically predisposed to force themselves on women is the wrong one to send to the ranks about sexual violence. It disrespects the survivors of rape in the the Canadian Army and leads to further commission of rape crime. The highest ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces are infected with misogyny. The Canadian Government has lost control of its military. By Executive Order the CDS must be demoted to a rank below that of Brigadier General and retired dishonourably in order to send the right message throughout the Canadian military, that rape is no joke," says The RINJ Foundation's Executive Director.

External Review into Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment in the Canadian Armed Forces

The report found that there is an "underlying sexualized culture" within the Canadian Forces that is hostile to women and LGTBQ members. If left unchecked, this culture can lead to more serious incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

This sexualized environment within the CAF is characterized by frequent swearing and "highly degrading" expressions referencing women's bodies, sexual jokes, unwelcome sexual touching and discriminatory comments about women's abilities.

Some participants reported instances of sexual violence, date rape and instances of coercive relationships between lower rank women and higher rank men. In some reported cases, sex was used to enforce power dynamics in relationships and to punish and ostracize a member of a particular unit.

As soldiers move up the ranks, they become used to the sexualized culture. Thomas J. Lawson is one such example.

There are strong perceptions that there is an upheld culture where no one speaks up against sexual misconduct or assault, which deters victims from reporting such incidents.

Canadian media has lit up the air-waves and cyber space reporting and condemning the the misogynistic conduct of the Canadian Armed Forces. According to the Toronto Star "Canada's military chief says sex assaults are still a problem in the Canadian Forces because men are "biologically wired in a certain way."

In an interview aired Tuesday night (16 June, 2015) on (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) CBC's The National, Gen. Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), said sexual harassment and assaults plague the military because men are biologically predisposed to force themselves on women (rape).

The RINJ Foundation urges the Prime Minister of Canada  and the Minister of National Defence to immediately demote Tom Lawson to a rank below Colonel so that he does not retire as a member of the General Staff. The Government of Canada has lost control of its military, a dangerous thing to happen in a democracy. It needs to regain control and firmly condemn the rampant problem of rape within the Canadian Armed Forces.

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For Further Contact: rinj.org
+1647-739-9279

The RINJ Foundation is an international Non Government Organization headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

The RINJ Foundation

-      Exists for the benefit of the general public.
-      Helps prevent rape and sexual assault crime.
-      Assists those who have become survivors of these crimes.

RINJ: Rape Is No Joke @RapeIsNoJoke