Canadian Armed Forces member charged with sexual assault in Kingston
The Voice of Canada News
On July 17, 2018, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) charged a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member in Kingston, Ontario.
Ordinary Seaman Austin White is a member of Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Kingston. He faces four charges:
- Sexual Assault, Section 271, Criminal Code of Canada (CCC), pursuant to s. 130, National Defence Act(NDA);
- Assault, s. 266 CCC. pursuant to s. 130 NDA;
- Drunkenness, s. 97(1) NDA; and
- Failure to Comply with Conditions, s. 101.1 NDA.
The first three charges relate to a reported incident on October 6, 2017 at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Kingston involving two CAF members, with separate reported victims for charges 1 & 2. The fourth charge relates to a reported incident on December 28, 2017 in Windsor, Ont. Involving Windsor Police.
Quotes
“Our investigators have laid these charges following an extensive examination of the facts and we will continue to support the military justice system as this case unfolds. We encourage victims and witnesses of inappropriate sexual behaviour to come forward and report their experience to Military Police.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Kevin Cadman, Commanding Officer, Canadian Forces National Investigation Service
Quick facts
- The case is proceeding under the military justice system. A possible court martial date has not been determined, but all scheduled courts martial are posted online at the Office of the Chief of Military Judge website.
- An accused member is presumed innocent until proven guilty with the right to a fair trial as guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- The CFNIS is a unit within the independent Canadian Forces Military Police Group whose mandate is to investigate serious and sensitive matters in relation to Department of National Defence (DND) property, DND employees and CAF personnel serving in Canada and around the world.
- CFNIS works in partnership with civilian police agencies, and was assisted by Windsor Police in this case.
Canadian Forces Military Police members take all allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously. In all cases, they investigate reported incidents to determine the facts, analyse available evidence and, if warranted, lay the appropriate charges.
