NEWS RELEASE
TIMMINS AND AREA WOMEN IN CRISIS
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The Globe and Mail’s Unfounded: Why police dismiss 1 in 5 sexual assault claims as baseless: Timmins and Area Women in Crisis responds
A 20-month Globe and Mail investigation into police-reported sexual assault allegations has revealed how police services across Ontario record some sexual assault complaints as “unfounded” − a formal police classification that means “a crime was neither attempted, nor occurred.”
Unfounded rates remain high in many Ontario regions. Inconsistencies in unfounded rates for sexual assault also emerged: the London, Ont. police service dropped 30 per cent of sexual-assault allegations as unfounded between 2010 and 2014, for example, whereas Windsor and Toronto saw just 3 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively.
Here in Timmins, the unfounded rate is 30 per cent.
What accounts for these inconsistencies? 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.”
Timmins and Area Women in Crisis 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.
On the contrary, 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.” Timmins and Area Women in Crisis 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. For example:
- Most reports of sexual assault do not lead to charges, let alone convictions. Out of every 1,000 sexual assaults in Canada, it’s estimated that 997 assailants walk free: 33 are reported to the police, just 29 are recorded as a crime; 12 see charges laid; six are prosecuted and just three lead to conviction.
- The majority of sexual assault offenders are in fact known to the victim in some way. Acquaintances, friends and dates are more likely to use verbal pressure, negative consequences, threats to relationships or victim-blaming rhetoric (i.e. “You know you wanted this”; “If you tell about what happened here, you will be in trouble”) during episodes of sexual coercion. This inevitably impacts upon a victim’s ability to resist or report what happened – or in many cases, even name it as violence.
- Sexual cases most often scrutinize survivor-victims, their actions, or reputability as witnesses, as opposed to the alleged offender, who is not required to testify.
- Social misconceptions (“myths”) concerning sexual assault persist among offenders, victims and the public. Much of these myths suggest that innocent men are commonly accused of sexual assault and women often lie about it to get revenge, for their own benefit, or because they feel guilty about having sex. In reality, the rate of false reporting for sexual assault is no different than any other crime.
The Globe and Mail investigation sheds light on the enormous barriers that survivor-victims face. As sexual violence survivor advocates, we at Timmins and Area Women in Crisis 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. Timmins and Area Women in Crisis makes the following recommendations to our allies in police services and those working in the criminal justice system:
- 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:
- Improved sexual assault disclosure training for police
- 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
- 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 Timmins and Area Women in Crisis, other 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
Timmins and Area Women in Crisis and Centre Passerelle pour femmes are encouraged since meeting with the Timmins Police Service earlier today. Our organizations have mutually committed to offering the best possible services to victim-survivors and recognize that a strong and equal working relationship, that identifies a difference in expertise, is the foundation for change. Our joint commitment to form a working group to identify collaborations and protocols that are friendly to survivor-victims will be a positive step for fair and inclusive community service.
Last, in response to the Globe and Mail investigation, Timmins and Area Women in Crisis reaches out to those affected by sexual violence in Ontario.
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 Timmins and Area Women in Crisis’s support line. 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. You can reach Timmins and Area Women in Crisis at 705-268-8380.
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 judgement, scrutiny or expectations that they formally report. You can them to find safe places to seek additional support, if needed, too.
Timmins and Area Women in Crisis recognizes the impact of sexual violence. We believe that education and information goes a long way toward the prevention of violence. Together, we will make a difference.
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