About Us
Built by survivors, shaped for impact.
Survivor Perspectives Consulting Group (SPCG) is a female veteran-owned service provider of training and education, teaching not only how to support survivors of gender violence but also how to effect powerful and sustained change in high-trust, culturally unique environments.
Our Story
Borne from the decades-long crisis of Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), it was apparent that there is not only an erosion of the necessary trust between the organization and its members, but also, for many, a complete lack of understanding of how to support those who come forward with disclosures. This shortfall is, by and large, not intentional - our leaders, peers, and subordinates want to be able to better provide care for those injured by gender violence. After all, to be an effective uniform, we need to know that our team "has our six".
We need to be able to trust each other not only with our lives, but also with our bodies.
Starting as a small peer support group to help us hold each other accountable in our healing journeys, Survivor Perspectives Consulting Group evolved into a means of effecting change.
There is no silver bullet, but we have a powerful and proven tool, and our training has now developed into a global reach. It is moving to address this issue in other, culturally unique environments. This is not sensitivity training - this is team-building, creating a strength that includes professionalism and respect.
We believe we possess the experience, dedication, and ability to help find the right solutions. We are the unfortunate experts in sexual trauma. We are the ones who lived and breathed the toxic sexualized workplace.
We are the Survivors.
We are the Allies.
And we have a voice.
Survivor Perspectives Consulting Group will help enact much-needed positive change.
The Founders
Carly Arkell, Major (Ret)
Carly joined the Naval Reserve at 16 and later became an Aerospace Engineering Officer through the ROTP. She supported domestic and overseas operations across the RCAF, Army, and CANSOFCOM, including a posting with the Snowbirds and a technical mission in Afghanistan.
After being medically released in 2021 with over 22 years of service, Carly shifted her focus from operational support to institutional change. She testified at the 2019 Senate Committee on Bill C-77 and previously served as VP of the Women Warriors’ Healing Garden.
Her experience with MST informs her deep commitment to systems change and survivor advocacy, both within the CAF and beyond.
MJ Batek, Ocdt (Ret)
MJ began her career training to become one of Canada’s first female Artillery Officers. Her military service was cut short by a training injury and the lasting impact of sexual assaults, harassment, and domestic violence she experienced during and after her time in uniform.
She later served in the Communications Reserve and competed for Team Canada at the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia.
MJ now uses her lived experience to raise awareness around MST and military domestic violence. A skilled graphic designer and web/marketing specialist, she also advocates for both military and civilian survivors in her community.
Cassandra Elliott, Cpl (Ret), M.Ed.
Cassandra joined the CAF in 2009 as a reserve medic before transitioning to the Regular Force as a Vehicle Technician. She served at CFB Edmonton until a work-related injury led to her medical release in 2019.
Since 2016, Cassandra has supported members navigating the complex CAF investigatory process around MST. Now a Registered Provisional Psychologist in Alberta, she bridges research, mental health, and veteran transition support, aiming to connect military and academic communities to improve outcomes.
Donna Van Leusden, CD Major (Ret)
Donna joined the Communications Reserve in 1993 and left in 1997 after surviving a sexual assault. She rejoined the CAF in 2006 to help create change from within, serving as a Public Affairs Officer across the RCAF and Canadian Army. She received several commendations for her work and represented Team Canada at the 2018 Invictus Games.
Since 2015, Donna has facilitated training with the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services and other programs focused on trauma and bystander intervention. In her final year in uniform, she trained 1,500 DND members, earning a CDS Commendation.
Medically released in 2022 due to CPTSD, Donna co-founded Survivor Perspectives Consulting Group. Since then, SPCG has trained over 3,000 people in Canada, the U.S., and Ukraine, offering survivor-led, trauma-informed education rooted in lived experience.