Â鶹´«Ã½

Canada

    • 'I kept it a secret': Former naval officer speaks out about sexual abuse and addiction

    Share

    This story includes references to sexual abuse and addiction that may be distressing.

    When Mia Lynch walks along the Halifax waterfront, she often catches a glimpse of HMCS Goose Bay, which was the first coastal defence vessel she ever sailed on.

    The 36-year old was once a proud member of the Royal Canadian Navy, but not long after enlisting in 2003, her pride turned into pain.

    "When I first joined there was a Christmas party at the unit and there was a lot of alcohol being passed around," she said. "I ended up drinking quite a bit that night, and I blacked out."

    When she eventually woke up, she realized something was terribly wrong. "I was sexually assaulted, I felt afraid and very ashamed."

    In the aftermath of the alleged assault, Lynch struggled with what to do. She was new to the navy, and as a woman she was a minority in her unit.

    "I was too frightened to report it," she said. "I thought that if I did it would be the end of my career. I thought it was kind of an old boys club, and no one would believe me, so I just kept it a secret."

    Cases like Lynch's are not uncommon in the Canadian Armed Forces. According to , 27.3 per cent of women and 3.8 percent of men reported having been victims of sexual assault at least once since joining the military. 

    "Sexual misconduct has brought the CAF into disrepute, both internally and in the eyes of the general public," said former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour in a , which was a blistering indictment of the military's "handling of sexual misconduct," "abuse of power" and "toxicity in the work environment."

    The review, more than a year in the making, also made 48 recommendations for consideration by the federal government, ranging from an overhaul of the institution’s recruiting system to removing sexual offence cases from military courts.

    “The CAF has been unwilling or unable to embrace the intent and vision that came from external sources, choosing the letter over the spirit, often the appearance of implementation over its substance, thereby entrenching their ways of operating. I believe this is a consequence of the insularity within which the CAF has traditionally operated, and its determination to perpetuate its old ways of doing business,†she said. 

    Along with recommending sweeping changes, Arbour's report highlighted that "fear of retaliation" is very real to military sexual abuse victims. At the time, the federal government said it “accepted†the report in its entirety and was in the process of implementing several of the recommendations.

    "I wasn't just assaulted once, it happened many times in my career, by different people," said Lynch. "There were times when I tried to report it, but I was discouraged by other people in the military to follow through, so I eventually dropped it."

    Lynch said one alleged attack occurred when she was "asleep in her barracks". She claims someone got into her room and attempted to assault her. The incident amplified her fear and also plunged her into a depression.

    "Not only did I already feel hopeless and that there was no other way out, but now I felt completely useless, abandoned by this organization that I given my life."

    To cope with the trauma, Lynch started to drink heavily when not at work. At the same time, she was prescribed hydromorphone, because she underwent four surgeries in one month. The drug is a potent opioid analgesics, used to treat moderate to severe pain.

    "I started mixing that with alcohol and I definitely used those substances to numb my feelings of self-contempt, powerlessness and uselessness," she said. "When my prescription ran out, I started trying cocaine."

    Decades of research have found a strong link between exposure to traumatic events and substance use problems. While the data is limited for active members in the Canadian Armed Forces, studies from the United States and United Kingdom have indicated a among military personnel. 

    "Substance use disorder is prevalent in the armed forces, probably four to five times higher than the general population, depending on what study you are citing, " said Colette Currin, who is the National Director of Military, Veterans and First Responders for EHN Canada.

    Specializing in mental health and addictions treatment, Currin said it is not unusual to find military members struggling with substance use.

    It is estimated that diagnosed with PTSD have experienced substance abuse problems.

    "A lot of what we see in the military culture is also in the general population, but it can be accentuated given the very unique structure of the military, obviously very male dominated, which for females can also present a unique intersectionality,†Currin said.

    Lynch's struggles and substance use lead to attempted suicide in 2015. During this time, she began treatment and sought out support from friends and family.

    "I was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, as well as generalized and social anxiety."

    Despite all the difficulties and obstacles, Lynch tried to stay in the Navy because she loved her job and serving her country.

    However, in September, 2018 she was medically released from the armed forces. When she left the institution, she had achieved the rank of a petty officer, second class.

    "Since then I spent seven months in trauma treatment and I am now trying to get my feet under me in order to heal and feel whole again."

    Lynch has also now been sober since 2020, and is planning a return to school, in hopes of building a future free from her military past.

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    An Edmonton man says he was in the wrong place at the wrong time when he was injured by members of the Edmonton Police Service last year.

    Toronto police say they are searching for a suspect who allegedly shot and killed his brother in an argument at a Scarborough housing complex late Saturday night.

    Ontario's police watchdog has decided there are no grounds to believe Sudbury police committed a crime during a difficult arrest in May where the suspect's neck was broken.

    • One man is dead and another injured after a shooting in Langley Saturday evening that homicide investigators say is gang-related.

    • Anyone needing emergency care in a city in B.C.’s southern Interior will need to seek help elsewhere until Monday, as the latest ER closure in the region has shuttered the department’s doors for 25 hours.

    • The two top contenders in British Columbia's provincial election dove deep into the various issues plaguing the Metro Vancouver area on Sunday, in some cases hearing directly from those most affected.

    • Toronto police say they are searching for a suspect who allegedly shot and killed his brother in an argument at a Scarborough housing complex late Saturday night.

    • Roads have reopened near Union Station following a suspicious package investigation on Sunday afternoon.

    • Toronto police have arrested three people and they are looking for two others in connection with an alleged fraud that saw a man and his daughter bilked out of more than $18,000.

    • The City of Calgary ended water restrictions for the city at a Sunday morning update.

    • Nearly 100 Inglewood residents rallied Saturday afternoon in a continuing effort to save the Inglewood Aquatic Centre.

    • Nick Kolomyja reckons axe throwing may have saved his life.

    • Thousands participated in the 17th annual Canada Army Run Sunday in the capital's downtown.

    • A local vendors market with a Taylor Swift theme took place this Sunday in Ottawa.

    • Police are looking to speak with a female who was a passenger in a stolen vehicle that was recovered early Saturday morning in Kanata.

    • Provincial police (SQ) are looking for 29-year-old Kelsey Watt, who went missing in Hemmingford, Que.

    • Nearly 15,000 runners pounded the pavement on Sunday in the 32nd edition of Montreal’s Bereva Marathon.

    • Â鶹´«Ã½ Montreal at Six for Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 with anchor Matt Gilmour.

    • An Edmonton man says he was in the wrong place at the wrong time when he was injured by members of the Edmonton Police Service last year.

    • The number of Edmontonians experiencing homelessness has risen 47 per cent this year, according to data from the city's main housing agency.

    • One person is dead after an early morning crash in west Edmonton.

    • Saint John Theatre Company’s “Waiting for Godot†stars former "Corner Gas" star Eric Peterson, and R.H. Thomson, known for his role in "Anne with an E."

    • A 76-year-old man who was reported missing Saturday in Annapolis District, N.S., has been found deceased.

    • Manitoba RCMP and community members are still feverishly searching for a six-year-old boy who went missing five days ago.

    • Winnipeg police called in the bomb unit Saturday night after a suspicious item was found in a Centennial neighbourhood back lane.

    • While slang may come and go, experts say the phenomenon behind them, which constantly churns out brand-new bon mots, is as old as language itself.

    • Fire officials are investigating after a fire completely destroyed the community fridge in the Cathedral neighbourhood.

    • The last two months after losing her daughter Bella have been extremely difficult for Kyla Thomson.

    • Regina police arrested three youths in connection to a bear mace incident at a Regina high school on Friday.

    • Brantford, Ont. residents were met with an unexpected sight on Saturday evening as a suspected funnel cloud appeared in the skies above the city.

    • Police were called to a business in the area of University Avenue East and Weber Street North at around 10:40 p.m. Saturday for a report of a man attempting to stab another man.

    • Police said the pedestrian, a 52-year-old man, was taken to an out-of-region hospital with life-threatening injuries and the driver of the vehicle failed to remain at the scene.

    • A 14-year-old girl from Flying Dust First Nation was killed after a high-speed ATV struck a ditch near Meadow Lake.

    • The 75-year-old building, formerly the Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce building, was relocated to the Parks Canada compound on the edge of the townsite.

    • A 53-year-old woman from north Vancouver, B.C. was killed after a semi and truck collided on Highway 16 near Dafoe.

    • There were no injuries reported after a home on Regent Street near Douglas Street in Greater Sudbury’s west end on Sunday morning.

    • Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating after an Ontario Provincial Police officer discharged his firearm at a 36-year-old man in near Moonbeam, Ont., on Friday night.

    • Wage increases, new paid holidays and a big signing bonus are part of the new contract for CAMI employees in Ingersoll, Ont.

    • video

      video

      The most popular hockey podcasters on the planet brought some major attention to the Forest City this weekend with the annual Chiclets Cup.

    • The identity of a motorcyclist has been revealed by loved ones on social media following Friday’s fatal south end collision in London. The London Police Service has not released anything regarding the driver’s identity.

    • One man is in police custody after fabricating a story to police and reporting his vehicle was stolen.

    • Fire crews worked to extinguish a fire at a tent encampment in Barrie on Sunday.

    • A year after being recognized as one of 19 ‘Bee Campuses’ by Bee City Canada, Georgian College continues to promote the importance of bees to agriculture, the economy and education.

    • Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is reporting that it’s above the provincial target for sudden cardiac arrest response times.

    • video

      video

      The Amherstburg Uncommon Festival is living up to its name with the addition of a drone light show — a first for Essex County.

    • The St. Clair College Saints were in Oshawa over the weekend as they faced Durham College.

    • Work crews have been busy in the British Columbia legislature over the summer, prying apart desks in the historic chamber and piling them up in hallways as they tried to work out how to fit in six more seats.

    • The two top contenders in British Columbia's provincial election dove deep into the various issues plaguing the Metro Vancouver area on Sunday, in some cases hearing directly from those most affected.

    • A Victoria woman is now $1 million richer after winning a Maxmillions prize on a recent Lotto Max Draw.

    • A pair of runaway pigs are in the custody of an animal sanctuary in the Okanagan after evading police and volunteers for hours earlier this week.

    • The Red Bridge, a historic landmark in Kamloops, B.C., was completely destroyed by fire early Thursday morning.

    • Animal protection officers in British Columbia have rescued three pit bulls – including one that gave birth to 10 puppies – from a rat-infested home in Kelowna.

    • Despite the heavy rain, plenty of muscle turned up for United Way’s annual Pull the Bus fundraiser in Lethbridge Friday.

    • Lethbridge County has rescinded its fire restriction as a result of the recent cool, wet weathr.

    • The Lethbridge Hurricanes kicked off the 2024-25 season on a winning note Friday night, defeating the Edmonton Oil Kings 3-1 in a game played at VisitLethbridge.com Arena.

    • The Royal Canadian Mint has introduced its latest Gold Maple Leaf bullion coin – made entirely from gold sourced from a single mine in northern Ontario

    • A northern Ontario man is facing a $12,000 fine after illegally shooting a moose near the Batchawan River.

    • Following an outbreak of COVID-19 on its continuing care floor and just ahead of the flu season, St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Elliot Lake has opted to re-introduce a universal masking policy until further notice.

    N.L.

    Local Spotlight

    Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.

    Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.

    An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.

    They say a dog is a man’s best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.

    A growing group of brides and wedding photographers from across the province say they have been taken for tens of thousands of dollars by a Barrie, Ont. wedding photographer.

    Paleontologists from the Royal B.C. Museum have uncovered "a trove of extraordinary fossils" high in the mountains of northern B.C., the museum announced Thursday.

    The search for a missing ancient 28-year-old chocolate donkey ended with a tragic discovery Wednesday.

    The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is celebrating an important milestone in the organization's history: 50 years since the first women joined the force.

    It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.

    Politics

    Health

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    Sports

    • The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have a nickname for the opposition’s end zone. They refer to it as the “chicken box.â€

    • Jonathan Aranda homered for the second consecutive game, helping Taj Bradley and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 on Saturday.

    • Kiefer Sherwood spent several nights last spring chasing Quinn Hughes around the ice and generally pestering the Vancouver Canucks.

    Autos

    Shopping Trends

    The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at Â鶹´«Ã½. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.

    Stay Connected
    Follow Â鶹´«Ã½