When you look at sexual harassment, you will see that our ratio is fairly similar to what the CF and DND have as a ratio. It's a fairly high ratio of women being sexually harassed. Of course, our number, if you look at the 375, does not necessarily match with the number of the Canadian Forces or DND, because we provide different services. We have as many in six years as they've had in ten years. Lots of people come, but they are very reluctant to continue with a formal complaint based on all kinds of issues. Out of that number, it is sometimes concerning to see what the effect is on people, especially sexual harassment.
In a very recent case we had, the lady decided to quit the organization instead of going forward with a formal complaint. It's very hard for us to do anything, because we're bound by oaths of confidentiality, and unless the member decides or gives us the ability to move forward and explain her case to the department and try to do something, there's nothing we can do to assist that member.
She has left the organization because, from her point of view, it was the only viable solution she could choose. She felt that if she moved a complaint forward, reprisal on her would have been so high that it would have been worse than the existing condition, worse than tolerating the sexual harassment.
Delays are also a significant concern brought by constituents. If I bring a complaint forward, it will take an average of 90 days, if not more, to get a resolution. That period of 90 days is going to be very hard on the person and, in most cases, that person is now seen as an administrative problem for the organization. We've seen cases of people being posted administratively out of the organization because it was too much of an administrative burden to deal with those individuals. They didn't fit. Retribution is a huge thing. Delays are a huge thing.
The consequence if people are found guilty of sexual harassment is also minor. Mr. Wenek clearly mentioned that in most cases the consequence is a refresher training on harassment. It's one-day training. They use the public service course that is mandatory for most supervisors anyway. They have to go on the training. The one who has been identified as doing sexual harassment is going on a one-day training. Is it worth it for people to bring that complaint forward when they know at the end of the day the person will go on a one-day course?
It's all those concerns that force people to remain anonymous and not move forward with their complaints. Consequences are tragic in many cases.