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A sexual misconduct response centre set up by the Defence department could be missing most such incidents because its hours are limited, warns an internal document obtained by Postmedia.

The centre, located in Ottawa, recently expanded its hours to operate from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern, Monday to Friday.

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But without a 24/7 response there is concern most sexual misconduct incidents will be missed, says the Sept. 9, 2015 briefing produced by the centre’s staff and approved by Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jon Vance.

The briefing points out the various problems associated with the sexual misconduct response centre, which began operations in September 2015. These include worries about the ability to recruit enough staff and provide services round the clock.

“The current capacity does not support a 24/7 service delivery model, which is a concern as the expectation is that the majority of incidents of sexual misconduct occur during silent hours, and the centre is to provide services to (Canadian Armed Forces) members located across the country and around the globe extending over multiple time zones,” says the briefing note prepared for John Forster, the deputy minister.