CBC.ca: 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 said Tuesday, drawing outrage from opposition politicians and on social media.
After CBC News 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, airing tonight on The National, 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.
