Warning: Story contains details of a sexual assault

‘I was going to get raped’: Former soldier speaks out about his being sexually assaulted in Canada’s military.

Story by @JacquesGallant torstar.co/PFB650EwLZZ
“No guy wants to admit that somebody else got the better of them that way and it’s hard for me to admit.” When he was 24 years old, Colten Skibinsky was sexually assaulted in the showers of a military base.

torstar.co/PFB650EwLZZ
Long-lasting psychological impact remained, including PTSD, exacerbated by what he described as inaction by the military police when he first tried to report it, along with the failure of fellow soldiers to stick up for him publicly. torstar.co/PFB650EwLZZ
Medically released from the military last year at the rank of corporal, Skibinsky said he was sharing his story with the Star to help shine a light on the experiences of male survivors of sexual violence in the Canadian armed forces.

torstar.co/PFB650EwLZZ
He now tries to use his voice to help others, especially other men who may not know what to do about an assault or sexual harassment. He says a peer support group is crucial, and should be funded by the government.

torstar.co/PFB650EwLZZ

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