The article talked about me and one of the worst experiences of my life, but described me only as “the wife of a fellow soldier”. I had a really strong response to this. I had to go for a hard run before I could begin processing it. I slept on it and received support fromContinue reading “Last week, I was mentioned in a newspaper article. Or, rather, I wasn’t mentioned.”
Tag Archives: culture
I’ve been asked what I would like to hear in the apology to survivors of Military Sexual Trauma tomorrow
Just a couple of weeks ago, the official date was set for the formal apology to survivors of Military Sexual Trauma. Since then I’ve been asked, and thought a lot about, what I hope to hear. What I’d like to hear is a fullsome and accurate understanding of the harm that has been done toContinue reading “I’ve been asked what I would like to hear in the apology to survivors of Military Sexual Trauma tomorrow”
Leaders, please stop hurting us so we can finally heal
This past spring, I came forward with my husband to talk about our own experience with Military Sexual Trauma because we wanted to highlight the issues within the system that were denying justice to victims of abuse. People can’t heal from trauma in a context of injustice. We need the system to become trauma-informed, andContinue reading “Leaders, please stop hurting us so we can finally heal”
What is the cost to trauma survivors when we are working toward culture change?
Until recently, I hadn’t realized that someone might label me a survivor of Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Although this description might be technically accurate, it feels pretty new and it’s not internalized as true for me. Labels are tricky like that. Anyway, it’s a category I’m often assigned to since I told my story. IContinue reading “What is the cost to trauma survivors when we are working toward culture change?”
Dr Mary Honan interviewed me about surviving military sexual trauma
Dr Mary Honan interviewed me for her podcast in June 2021 (video below). It has taken me a while to post it because I wanted to include this little summary and time got away on me this summer. She asked about my experience of being a woman in the military, surviving the [often toxic] hierarchicalContinue reading “Dr Mary Honan interviewed me about surviving military sexual trauma”
Our definition of Justice needs to encompass these additional aspects
In 2013, I woke up to a man sexually assaulting me in my own bed. He was a senior officer in the military. Over two years later, I made a statement to the police. It may seem like a long time to wait, but less than a quarter of sexual assaults are ever reported atContinue reading “Our definition of Justice needs to encompass these additional aspects”
A word from Lieutenant General Jennie Carignan – Chief of Professional Conduct and Culture
LGen Jennie Carignan appeared before the Standing Committee on the Status of Women regarding her role as Chief Professional Conduct and Culture. Here is what she said.
How Leaders can Cultivate Development in Others
Personal growth and development is hard and painful. It can be scary. We often know where we need to improve and even how to do it, but we still face resistance to getting started. Developmental psychology acknowledges that the evolution of the self can be painful and distressing because it involves leaving behind, or losing,Continue reading “How Leaders can Cultivate Development in Others”
To those who ask what women could possibly contribute the Armed Forces since men have done very well on their own since the beginning of time…
Canadian Army Brigadier-General Jennie Carignan OMM MSM CD gave the keynote speech at the Canada 150 Servicewomen’s Salute Dinner at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa ON. Here is a transcript*: Having women involved in all domains of society has created wealth for our homeland. Countries where men and women both share and contribute equallyContinue reading “To those who ask what women could possibly contribute the Armed Forces since men have done very well on their own since the beginning of time…”
Annalise 