A Canadian General Claims Military Sexual Misconduct Is "Due To 'Biological Wiring'"

RallyPoint Shared Content — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 12:25:37 -0400

Originally published on CBC News:
--
Sexual harassment is still an issue in the Canadian Forces because people are "biologically wired in a certain way," Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Tom Lawson told CBC News on Tuesday, drawing outrage from opposition politicians and on social media.

After CBC aired excerpts of his comments, Lawson quickly backpedalled and apologized for what he called an "awkward characterization."

In an exclusive interview with CBC's chief correspondent Peter Mansbridge Lawson said the "terrible issue" of military sexual harassment "disturbs the great majority of everyone in uniform and yet, we're still dealing with it."

"It would be a trite answer, but it's because we're biologically wired in a certain way and there will be those who believe it is a reasonable thing to press themselves and their desires on others. It's not the way it should be," he said.

"Much as we would very much like to be absolutely professional in everything we do, and I think by and large we are, there will be situations and have been situations where, largely, men will see themselves as able to press themselves onto our women members.

Lawson's views brought swift reaction from NDP defence critic Jack Harris, who called the remarks "shocking."

"It's astonishing that at that level of leadership in the military we would hear that kind of attitude," Harris told CBC News. "It's attitudes like that, backwards attitudes about sexual assault, that lead us to the problems we have."

"We're talking about sexual assault, which is criminal in nature — that's not something that's excused by biology," Harris said.

Liberal defence critic Joyce Murray tweeted, "Is he saying 'boys will be boys'? Deplorable excuse!"

Liberal Marc Garneau called for Lawson's immediate resignation.

Lauren Armstrong, spokeswoman for Defence Minister Jason Kenney's office, said that Lawson has "apologized for his inappropriate comments. Nobody who chooses to serve our country should ever be subject to sexual misconduct."

'Awkward characterization'

Lawson issued a statement after an excerpt of his comments aired on CBC News Network's Power & Politics.

"I apologize for my awkward characterization, in today's CBC interview, of the issue of sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces. Sexual misconduct in any form, in any situation is clearly unacceptable," the statement said.

"My reference to biological attraction being a factor in sexual misconduct was by no means intended to excuse anyone from responsibility for their actions."

"I am committed, alongside Canadian Armed Forces leadership, to addressing the issue of sexual misconduct through an action plan based on the 10 recommendations provided in Madame [Marie] Deschamps' report," Lawson's statement concluded.

Transport Minister Lisa Raitt said she is at a loss for words over Lawson's chosen "verbiage."

Justice Minister Peter MacKay said Lawson feels badly about his choice of words during the interview.

In April, a searing report by Deschamps, a retired Supreme Court justice, said sexual misconduct is "endemic" in the Canadian military.

Deschamps laid blame on a pervasive macho culture where the leadership tolerates abuse and leaves women in fear of reporting it.

Julie Lalonde, a sex assault prevention educator who spoke to CBC News about being verbally harassed while speaking to cadets at the Royal Military College, said Tuesday that Lawson's remarks were "the most archaic defence for sexism I've ever heard."

"It's clear to me that if Gen. Lawson believes that sexual misconduct is biologically driven and he is the top brass of the military, then it is clear the military has a problem," Lalonde said.

"If that's the direction officer cadets are getting, it's no wonder that we're in the current situation we are in and nobody should be surprised by Justice Deschamps's report."

Forces to tackle culture of harassment

In the interview with Mansbridge, Lawson admitted the culture needs to change.

"We are going to tackle that. We've been successful in tackling other cultures," he said. adding that the Armed Forces are "well on their way."

There are currently at least two courts martial in relation to incidents of sexual assault and harassment at the Royal Military College, one incident alleged to have taken place just last month.

"Why would a male cadet decide that they could treat one of the female cadets like that?" Lawson said.

"We believe that's a little bit of biological wiring and inappropriate behaviour."

"But what we also see is, it was reported and it's now being litigated. So we'll see where that goes," said Lawson. "The concern is not only the frequency of it happening, but making sure it gets reported and that people who are transgressed against feel comfortable to bring it forward."

3 out of 4 ISIS air missions return with bombs

Lawson is stepping down as Canada's top general in September. He will be replaced by Lt.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, currently the commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command.

In the interview, Lawson also spoke extensively about Canada's role in the coalition mission in Iraq and Syria against the ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) militant group.

He said the coalition air campaign is "pretty remarkable" in its ability to avoid collateral damage while bringing pressure to bear on ISIS.

"About 25 per cent of the missions that go to deliver weaponry are delivering weaponry. Seventy-five per cent will come back having carried their bombs back," he said.

The reasons for that include concern over civilian casualties, as well as lack of a good connection with ground forces that could "safely call in bombs."

"As Iraqi security forces start to bring their forces to bear, then we'll have eyes and capability and equipment that will tie air campaign power to what they see as targets on the ground," he said.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/military-sexual-misconduct-due-to-biological-wiring-gen-tom-lawson-tells-cbc-news-1.3115993

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 17 at 2015 12:31 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 12:31:21 -0400

I think that comment would be career limiting in this country.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 17 at 2015 12:31 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 12:31:40 -0400

I have heard and seen, in interviews, many professionals stating that it is a sickness. I do believe there is something behind this but I also believe this is being used too much as a crutch for their actions.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 17 at 2015 12:56 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 12:56:26 -0400

His comments, while factually and scientifically true, are not Politically Correct, so he is in trouble.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Jun 17 at 2015 1:27 PM

SFC Collin McMillion — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 13:27:12 -0400

Don't really have a response to what he said initially and the his latter statements, just.........make sure your brain is engaged before putting your mouth in gear.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Jun 17 at 2015 1:30 PM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 13:30:06 -0400

What?
"We believe that's a little bit of biological wiring and inappropriate behaviour."
Are going to have a new "disorder" now??? Good GRIEF!
along with ADHD, ADD, I guess now we'll have SDD? (Sexual Deficiency Disorder)? and for rape we can have SDHD? (Sexual Deficiency Hyperactive Disorder)?
Give me a break!

When will people start taking a little bit of personal accountability and stop looking outside for the problem inside!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 1:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 13:42:43 -0400

Using that argument he could justify quite a large number of crimes. People get hungry, so of course there will be some theft of food. People get angry, so of course there will be some murders here and there.

That doesn't change the fact that sexual harassment is still a choice, and that there is no excuse for that behavior.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 17 at 2015 1:50 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 13:50:44 -0400

Well I think the comments by Canada's Chief of the Defence Staff [equivalent to our Chairmen of the JCS] are generally refreshing in the politically correct environment which permeates north America and Europe.
Anybody who has a basic understanding of human biology and genetics understands that the sex drive is a major factor for young men and women. Much of the conscious moments of young men is thinking about women. That I believe is what Lt-Gen Tom Lawson is trying to communicate not as an excuse for inappropriate behavior but as a experientially common experience and scientifically rooted fact.
He goes to great lengths to clarify his position that sexual assaults are not acceptable and illegal and that the Canadian military is working to address the cultural issues. "The concern is not only the frequency of it happening, but making sure it gets reported and that people who are transgressed against feel comfortable to bring it forward."
After a few decades of efforts to declare men and women equal in capabilities, functions and in fact to be interchangeable in many military organizations; with men and women sharing close quarters in stressful situations under varying leadership it is sad that so many people are hurt.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 17 at 2015 2:40 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 14:40:33 -0400

Honesty is not the best policy in a politically correct world, is it?

I'm not saying whether this Canadian general is correct or not. However, it does appear that he was being honest in attempting to state what he believes.

In law school, we were drilled on "saying what you mean". In Officer Candidate School we were drilled on "meaning what you say". To bad you couldn't get both lessons combined in one...

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jun 17 at 2015 3:06 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:06:25 -0400

The solution then is to arm the women with knives so that they can cut those hard wires. Hope this guy does not have a daughter because Karma is a BITCH!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 3:13 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 15:13:34 -0400

Perhaps this is another media frenzy taken out of context? Perhaps the media should have asked more intelligent follow on questions--what did you mean by that--rather than assuming what he means? He seems to have stated the problem; which is a fact--yet the problem isn't just biological, it is also attitudinal. Testosterone-filled young men can be taught self discipline in the military, yet much of that process begins earlier in life--home, community, church, culture. That comment in no way condones any negative behaviors, it is a commentary on truth. We need to do a better job of raising children--men and women- and having higher standards in our culture(s) for acceptable behavior. Dust off the concepts of Ladies and Gentlemen.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 8:08 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 20:08:03 -0400

I think the good General told the truth and then backpedaled until he almost fell over. What he originally said rings true to me. Not excusing the behavior ... just acknowledging his honesty.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 17 at 2015 8:13 PM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 20:13:46 -0400

I actually somewhat agree with the General. Some people simply cannot control themselves and no amount of training is going to change that. With that said, those sick bastards who DO commit sexual assault/harassment should be prosecuted to the full extent of the UCMJ.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jun 17 at 2015 10:51 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:51:33 -0400

"Awkward Characterization" = I just submitted my retirement package.

Response by SPC David Willis made Dec 13 at 2017 3:43 PM

SPC David Willis — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 15:43:35 -0500

Biologically if we see a male/female we're attracted to, our brain may flicker an instinctual desire to copulate with that person. However we are in control of our actions, and a normal person may approach them to try and date them or move on about our day. I've never found myself raping someone out of instinct...