Letter to the Editor: Response to Globe and Mail Sexual Assault Articles Series
Recently the Globe and Mail published a series of articles into how roughly 1 in 5 sexual assault reports are deemed baseless by police across Canada. I can appreciate how shocking this news may be to some. To many others, this is a sad confirmation of what we already know and have experienced. Here in Nipissing, our ‘unfounded’ rates range from 34%-44% (where nationally, we see 19%).
Unfounding often occurred, the Globe and Mail found, when a sexual assault complaint entailed just a short interview between the victim and police, and no subsequent investigation. Previous research concluded what survivor-victims and their advocates most feared: that, in fact, “complainants who do not conform to stereotypes about the perfect victim were winding up with cases deemed unfounded at a disproportionate rate.”
Amelia Rising commends the Globe and Mail investigation: many of our experiences as advocates and crisis workers supporting survivors of sexual assault align with these findings. Simply too many sexual assaults are reported and do not result in charges. And simply too many assaults categorized as unfounded draw on sexual violence misconceptions which construct survivors as unreliable or untruthful (Patterson, 2011).
When sexual assault allegations are dismissed with such frequency “it is a sign of deeper flaws in the investigative process: inadequate training for police; dated interviewing techniques that do not take into account the effect that trauma can have on memory; and the persistence of rape myths among law-enforcement officials” (Doolittle, 2017). Amelia Rising notes that false allegations of sexual assault are not a common social problem. What is a common social problem is that survivors-victims are not believed or supported when they share their experiences.
The Globe and Mail investigation sheds light on the enormous barriers that survivor-victims face. As sexual violence survivor advocates, we at Amelia Rising have observed that, too often, systems meant to support victims disbelieve them, work to discredit them, or see them as somehow complicit in their violation.
Police services have an important role in supporting victims of crime. Over the last 20 years, much progress has been made in fostering supportive practices meant to address survivors’ needs —and break silence surrounding sexual violence occurring in our community. We have seen improved practices in sexual violence response in our community services, in health services and in policing, amongst many others. We value working together to address sexual violence. Additionally, Amelia Rising is working in partnership with the North Bay Police Service to review and brainstorm strategies to address this important issue. To all police services and allies working in the criminal justice system in Nipissing, Amelia Rising makes the following recommendations:
- Improve organizational accountability in your service’s processes for responding to sexual assault complaints
- Take strategic step to reduce problems that can lead to flaws in the investigative process that foster high unfounded rates. Useful actions can include:
o Improved sexual assault disclosure training for police
o Learning about and implementing interviewing techniques and procedure that consider the effect that trauma can have on memory (e.g. ensuring the victim has rested and had time for traumatic memories to consolidate
o Take leadership in fostering educational and training opportunities that actively challenge the persistence of sexual violence myths among law-enforcement officials
- Implement an Advocate/Systemic case review model (i.e. Philadelphia Model), so to reduce unfounded cases where possible
- Remember Amelia Rising as your sexual violence experts, and organizations that work with marginalized communities as important allies in your work. Please continue to consult with us when addressing sexual violence and the needs of survivor-victims
Most importantly Amelia Rising reaches out to those affected by sexual violence in Nipissing.
If something has happened to you, there are people who will believe and support you. You can talk to a trusted friend, family member, or contact Amelia Rising’s support line (705) 476-3355. We know that sexual violence cases are not always resolved through the criminal justice system. If you are considering reporting, we can help you think through your options. If you are not considering reporting, that’s okay too. All calls are free and confidential.
If you are a friend or family member of someone who is dealing with sexual violence, there are things you can do too. You can be an ally to the person who is victimized, instead of the accused. You can listen to the person’s story without judgment, scrutiny or expectations that they formally report. You can help them to find safe places to seek additional support, if needed, too.
Thank you, Merci, Miigwetch,
Brenda Quenneville, MSW, RSW, RP
Executive Director
Amelia Rising Sexual Assault Centre of Nipissing/centre d’agressions sexuelles de nipissing