Bringing Survivor-Centred Training to the World Stage

When SPCG (Survivor Perspectives Consulting Group) was created in 2021, its mission was to contribute to making the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) better than it was when our founders - survivors of military sexual trauma whose careers were cut short by gender-based violence - were forced to leave it. Our specialized focus on military sexual trauma prevention and survivor-centred organizational change has now expanded beyond Canada's borders. Imagine our surprise when we were invited to share our hard-won perspective in Europe.

Last year, as Ukraine continued its courageous fight for freedom and democracy, Alinea invited us to participate in one of its numerous initiatives supporting Ukraine's governance reform program. This event, held in Brussels, Belgium, from October 1 to 4, 2024, focused on promoting gender perspectives in the Ukrainian defence sector, work that has taken on even greater urgency in today's global political climate.

In a world where authoritarianism threatens democratic values and where military sexual trauma and gender-based violence continue to undermine the effectiveness of defence forces worldwide, survivor-centred approaches to military culture reform and organizational change cannot be forgotten or deprioritized. The stakes are too high, and the cost of inaction, both human and strategic, is too great.

We were honoured to be among the gender advisors invited to contribute to this important project, which included experts from Ukraine, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Norway, Finland, and Canada.

Donna, Denny, and Scott presented our approach: a survivor-centred and trauma-informed brand of organizational support. By supporting your members and truly listening to them, you can potentially change not only how they survive through an act of sexual violence but also strengthen your entire organization. This proactive approach to military culture change helps prevent widespread aggression before it occurs and reduces the loss of active members, avoiding the costly need to retrain their replacements.

Denny, Donna, and Scott are in front of the European External Action Service in Belgium.

Why This Work Matters More Than Ever

Ukraine's defence sector is rebuilding and reforming while simultaneously defending its nation's sovereignty. This presents a unique opportunity to embed gender integration and trauma-informed practices from the ground up—practices that Western militaries are still working to implement retroactively. By prioritizing gender perspectives and survivor-centred approaches now, Ukraine can build a more effective and resilient defence force.

The international community's investment in Ukraine's success extends beyond military aid to include governance reform, institutional strengthening, and cultural transformation. Gender integration and the prevention of military sexual trauma are not peripheral concerns; they are strategic imperatives that directly impact military readiness, retention, and operational effectiveness.

We never would have imagined that we could be invited to participate in a nation's efforts to examine gender diversity and military culture reform, yet here we are. We know our trauma-informed training and organizational change consulting can make a real difference, and we are grateful that Alinea recognized the value of survivor perspectives in this critical work. We look forward to participating in future international consulting projects.

As the world watches Ukraine's remarkable resilience and determination, we are excited to see how it will lead by example in creating a defence force that truly protects and empowers all its members.

Be safe, new friends.

Hold fast.

слава україні (slava ukrayini)

Glory to Ukraine!

Ready to bring survivor-centred approaches to your organization? Contact us to learn more about our trauma-informed training programs, military culture reform consulting, and organizational change services.