External review finds WRPS still needs work to address rape myth, gender bias in sexual assault investigations

An external review team that looked at 396sexual assault investigationsthat didn't result in criminalcharges found that while police improved in some areas, rape myths andgender bias were still prevalent in police investigations.

Since June 2019 the team has met quarterly. Made up of several local non-profits, itwas created as a result of the Globe and Mail's investigation intopolice responses to sexual violence in 2017 that found 19.4 per centof sexual assaults in Canada wereunfounded.

Waterloo Region's rate was even higher at 27 per cent.

The external review team conductedsix 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 toproceed 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 lawaround consent and capacity to consent.

The team alsonoted police investigations faltered when working with disenfranchised and vulnerable groups, including people who strugglewith mental health. More compassion is alsoneeded when responding tosurvivors as they sharetheir experience, the review team said in its report.

Service has made 'some improvements'

The team noted there has been "someimprovements in investigation over the last four years."

It said overall, investigations aremore complete and better documented. Progress has been made in creating more welcomingenvironments 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 andthe development of a community supportscontact cardas steps the police service has taken in their ongoing work to support survivors of sexual violence.

"We have continued training for investigators centeredon 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 reviewteam's work is not over itwill continue to meet. Thenext 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.

Casselmanalso said theteam would like to see the service become part of theInstitutional Accountability Project, a federal projectshe said would allow the team to look at best practices in policing around sexual violence, as well as give the themaccess 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."