Canadian Military's Refusal to Apologize to Sexual Assault Victim Sparks Outrage

 

The Canadian military’s decision to withhold an apology to a civilian employee who was sexually assaulted while working with NATO allies has raised significant concerns, particularly regarding the organization’s handling of sexual misconduct. Kristen Adams, who was employed at a canteen for troops in Latvia, was assaulted by an Albanian soldier on December 3, 2022. After reporting the incident, Adams received little support and was instead warned that she should have been more aware of the job's risks.

Documents obtained by the Ottawa Citizen reveal that military officials were worried about negative media coverage if they issued an apology to Adams. The military's morale and welfare services informed her that they had "gone above and beyond" in their efforts to support her, yet they refused to entertain any further complaints related to her experience. Two months after the assault, Adams’s contract was terminated early, citing concerns for her health.

Despite the assault occurring at a Canadian-operated facility in Camp Adazi, the military police lacked jurisdiction to investigate under NATO rules. In the aftermath, the incident garnered attention, leading to outrage among military personnel regarding how Adams's case was managed. Ian Poulter, head of the army’s morale and welfare services, later apologized for the mishandling but did not directly address Adams.

Further internal documents indicated that military leadership feared the repercussions of acknowledging wrongdoing. Officials noted that they avoided direct correspondence with Adams to prevent further negative press, while the chief of staff to Canada’s top soldier expressed concern that Adams might generate additional media coverage.

Adams shared her disappointment with the lack of a formal apology, stating, “I never did get [one]. That shows you they don’t think they did anything wrong in all of this. It’s disgusting.” The refusal to apologize highlights ongoing issues within the Canadian military related to a culture of abuse and a failure to adequately address sexual misconduct.

The broader implications of Adams’s case contribute to a growing public distrust in the military, an institution already struggling with its reputation following a series of scandals surrounding sexual assault and harassment. As the military continues to grapple with these challenges, calls for reform and accountability are becoming increasingly urgent.