Canadian Forces colonel charged with sexual assault, other offences involving 5 soldiers

A colonel with the Canadian Armed Forces is facing various charges, including sexual assault, involving five other members of the forces.

According to the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, the five members are based at Gagetown in New Brunswick and Valcartier in Quebec.

READ: Halifax-based sailor charged with sexual assault involving another Canadian Forces member

The charges stem from incidents between January 2005 and December 2014.

Col. Jean-François Duval, a member of the Canadian Defence Academy in Kingston, faces the following charges:

• 2 counts of sexual assault under the Criminal Code
• 1 count of indecent acts under the Criminal Code
• 2 counts of scandalous conduct under the National Defence Act
• 2 counts of disgraceful conduct under the National Defence Act
• 3 counts of prejudicing good order and discipline under the National Defence Act

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service investigates serious matters involving National Defence property, employees and armed forces personnel.

WATCH: Sexual assault rampant in Canada’s military

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“Independent of the chain of command in policing matters, the Military Police plays a central role in responding to allegations of criminal, harmful and inappropriate sexual conduct in the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Lieut.-Col. Kevin Cadman, commanding officer of the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, in a statement.

“The rank of the accused plays no factor in investigating the facts of the matter. We respect the judicial process and thoroughly investigate all reported sexual assaults through gathering the facts, analyzing the evidence, and when appropriate, laying applicable charges.”

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The case will go through the military justice system, which may involve a court martial.

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