Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Military Cultural Competency in Canadian Sexual Assault Support Centers : “Not Here for Lessons”

Ibbotson, Ashley A.M.M. ; Imre-Millei, Bibora LU orcid ; Orchard Young, Shannon T. ; Held, Nicholas J. ; Ninan, Reshna M. ; McKinnon, Margaret C. and Tam-Seto, Linna (2025) In Journal of Social Service Research 51(4). p.1070-1081
Abstract

Military cultural competency involves understanding the unique needs of military and veteran (MV) populations. Research shows that culturally competent care improves health outcomes, yet little is known about civilian sexual assault centers (SACs) supporting MV clients. Many MV clients affected by military sexual trauma (MST) seek community services due to mistrust of the military system. This study examined the military cultural competency of Canadian SACs to improve support for MV clients. Virtual qualitative interviews were conducted with SAC staff across Canada who support MV clients affected by MST. Data were analyzed using Framework Analysis, guided by the Military and Veteran Family Cultural Competency Framework and related... (More)

Military cultural competency involves understanding the unique needs of military and veteran (MV) populations. Research shows that culturally competent care improves health outcomes, yet little is known about civilian sexual assault centers (SACs) supporting MV clients. Many MV clients affected by military sexual trauma (MST) seek community services due to mistrust of the military system. This study examined the military cultural competency of Canadian SACs to improve support for MV clients. Virtual qualitative interviews were conducted with SAC staff across Canada who support MV clients affected by MST. Data were analyzed using Framework Analysis, guided by the Military and Veteran Family Cultural Competency Framework and related literature. Inductive interpretive phenomenological analysis was also applied. Five interviews with SAC staff revealed varying levels of military cultural competency, especially in cultural knowledge and skills. Participants expressed strong interest in adopting promising practices to enhance care. The study identifies strengths and gaps in SACs’ support for MST survivors, offering recommendations for resource development, staff training, and competency frameworks. Further research and policy review are needed to address these gaps and enhance culturally competent care.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
framework analysis, Military cultural competency, military sexual misconduct, military sexual trauma, sexual assault centers, veteran clients
in
Journal of Social Service Research
volume
51
issue
4
pages
12 pages
publisher
Routledge
external identifiers
  • scopus:105002978113
ISSN
0148-8376
DOI
10.1080/01488376.2025.2489549
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
c0302f14-9f54-49ea-8370-01c2df566437
date added to LUP
2025-08-29 12:21:35
date last changed
2025-08-29 12:21:43
@article{c0302f14-9f54-49ea-8370-01c2df566437,
  abstract     = {{<p>Military cultural competency involves understanding the unique needs of military and veteran (MV) populations. Research shows that culturally competent care improves health outcomes, yet little is known about civilian sexual assault centers (SACs) supporting MV clients. Many MV clients affected by military sexual trauma (MST) seek community services due to mistrust of the military system. This study examined the military cultural competency of Canadian SACs to improve support for MV clients. Virtual qualitative interviews were conducted with SAC staff across Canada who support MV clients affected by MST. Data were analyzed using Framework Analysis, guided by the Military and Veteran Family Cultural Competency Framework and related literature. Inductive interpretive phenomenological analysis was also applied. Five interviews with SAC staff revealed varying levels of military cultural competency, especially in cultural knowledge and skills. Participants expressed strong interest in adopting promising practices to enhance care. The study identifies strengths and gaps in SACs’ support for MST survivors, offering recommendations for resource development, staff training, and competency frameworks. Further research and policy review are needed to address these gaps and enhance culturally competent care.</p>}},
  author       = {{Ibbotson, Ashley A.M.M. and Imre-Millei, Bibora and Orchard Young, Shannon T. and Held, Nicholas J. and Ninan, Reshna M. and McKinnon, Margaret C. and Tam-Seto, Linna}},
  issn         = {{0148-8376}},
  keywords     = {{framework analysis; Military cultural competency; military sexual misconduct; military sexual trauma; sexual assault centers; veteran clients}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{1070--1081}},
  publisher    = {{Routledge}},
  series       = {{Journal of Social Service Research}},
  title        = {{Military Cultural Competency in Canadian Sexual Assault Support Centers : “Not Here for Lessons”}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2025.2489549}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/01488376.2025.2489549}},
  volume       = {{51}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}