Military newspaper rejects law firm’s ad
A military base newspaper has rejected an ad from a law firm looking to represent those sexually harassed in the Canadian Forces because it would further draw attention to the issue.
The ad from a Victoria, B.C., law firm offered victims of sexual assault or harassment in the military “a safe and supportive environment to tell your story” and included contact information. It also contained a quote from Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jon Vance about how sexual misconduct is a threat to the military.
But the senior military l eadership at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt put out the word that the ad was not to run.
“Our newspaper cannot be used as a vehicle to further amplify the sexual harassment issue currently in the mainstream media,” Melissa Atkinson of t he Lookout newspaper told law firm, Acheson, Sweeney, Foley and Sahota in an email.
The newspaper, distributed on the base and to the public at various locations in Victoria, actively solicits ads.
In her email, Atkinson noted that the Lookout is a “military newspaper responsive to the military chain of command.”
The military’s public affairs officers also reviewed the request and agreed with the decision.
The Lookout staff noted in an email that it was willing to run the ad if the law firm removed all references to the Canadian Forces and Department of National Defence.
Acheson, Sweeney, Foley and Sahota has started a class- action lawsuit on behalf of former and serving Canadian military personnel who suffered or may have suffered from sexual harassment or abuse. So far, more than 100 individuals who served in British Columbia have come forward, lawyer Rajinder Sahota said Monday.
He figures there are many more individuals in the military community in Victoria who have either been sexually assaulted or harassed.
Sahota, who accused the military of trying to censor the law firm’s message, said he was surprised the paid ad was rejected.
“It’s not as if no one knows about this problem,” he said.
At least another similar three class action lawsuits are underway in other locations across the country.
The ad was rejected in December, with the details included in a newly released update from the firm.
Over the last several years, the Canadian Forces has been criticized for incidents of sexual assault and misconduct, most of it directed toward women.
Vance has vowed to take a tough approach against anyone involved in sexual misconduct.
But Sahota said despite Vance’s claims l i ttle has changed in the military. The firm is hearing from several people every week who are facing or have faced sexual misconduct.