External review finds WRPS still needs work to address rape myth, gender bias in sexual assault investigations
Many reoccurring themes were identified in the audit report the team submitted to police in 2018
An external review team that looked at 396 sexual assault investigations that didn't result in criminal charges found that while police improved in some areas, rape myths and gender bias were still prevalent in police investigations.
Since June 2019 the team has met quarterly. Made up of several local non-profits, it was created as a result of the Globe and Mail's investigation into police responses to sexual violence in 2017 that found 19.4 per cent of sexual assaults in Canada were unfounded.
Waterloo Region's rate was even higher at 27 per cent.
The external review team conducted six reviews in total, that analyzed all 396 sexual assault investigations, 34 which were classified as unfounded.
That's when an investigation does not reach the threshold of reasonable grounds to lay a a criminal charge or a victim does not want to proceed further in the investigation.
"We see many of the same themes when reviewing investigations that were identified in the audit report that we submitted to the board in 2018," said Sara Casselman, executive director of the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, during a police services board meeting on Wednesday.
Casselman said those recurring themes include a lack of knowledge about trauma-informed investigations, which she said can underpin rape myths and gender bias.
The review also found that there were officers who still misunderstood the law around consent and capacity to consent.
The team also noted police investigations faltered when working with disenfranchised and vulnerable groups, including people who struggle with mental health. More compassion is also needed when responding to survivors as they share their experience, the review team said in its report.
Service has made 'some improvements'
The team noted there has been "some improvements in investigation over the last four years."
It said overall, investigations are more complete and better documented. Progress has been made in creating more welcoming environments for survivors.
"Some of those pieces actually have a big impact when someone is feeling vulnerable and sharing something that is so hard," Casselman said.
Staff Sgt. Jennifer Ranta, with the Waterloo Regional Police's special victims unit, was also part of the review team. She noted the use therapy dogs, enhanced case management by supervisors and the development of a community supports contact card as steps the police service has taken in their ongoing work to support survivors of sexual violence.
"We have continued training for investigators centered on trauma informed interviewing," Ranta said.
"Our website has been updated to provide specific information on how to report a sexual assault, the meaning of consent and explanation of our investigative process."
Reviews to continue
Casselman said the review team's work is not over — it will continue to meet. The next quarterly meeting is scheduled for July.
"We believe that advocate case review is an important step in the work to improve police responses to survivors of sexual assault," she said.
Casselman also said the team would like to see the service become part of the Institutional Accountability Project, a federal project she said would allow the team to look at best practices in policing around sexual violence, as well as give the them access to additional tools.
She would also like to see funding to be allocated for the work the review team is doing.
"Our sector is incredibly stretched right now and this is a significant commitment of time and resources that should be funded," she said.
"Funding for this work recognizes the expertise and value of community based survivor advocates."