London Police Service unveils results from sexual assault case review
London Police Service (LPS) is changing the manner in which sexual assault cases are coded to more accurately show the result of an investigation and be more reflective of their victim-centred approach. The changes are coming as a result of a review conducted by the LPS titled, “The findings and the future: A review of ‘unfounded' sexual assault investigations”. The review analyzed all cases from 2010 to 2016 that were coded as unfounded to determine if the existing classifications were appropriate means of labeling and identifying the existing cases. During a police investigation each case is either coded as found or unfounded. Before the review, cases coded as unfounded fell under:
• Investigation does not reach the threshold of reasonable grounds required to lay a criminal charge
• Incident is reported to police but the complainant/victim does not want to participate in an investigation or does not want to proceed further in the investigation
• A false allegation that is proven to be false with corroborating evidence other than from the accused, or the complainant admits to making a false complaint
Only cases that led officers to believe there existed reasonable grounds that an offence happened, or current ongoing investigations could be label as founded.
Prior to the review, a total of 1,030 sexual assault cases (44 per cent) were considered unfounded. However, after the review, only 6 per cent of cases fall under the unfounded classification.
“Unfortunately, categorizing investigations in which there was inadequate evidence to support a charge or the complainant decided to not participate, as unfounded left the incorrect impression that victims were not believed by investigators. This is categorically incorrect,” Chief Pare said in the review.
According to the official press release by LPS regarding the review, from now on, only cases where it has been determined through credible evidence that the offence did not occur or there was no violation of the Criminal Code or other federal statute will be labeled as unfounded.
The review also states that the LPS will have an advisory committee consisting of LPS members and community representatives. The committee will create terms of reference for future sexual assault cases. This committee model is influenced by the “Philadelphia model”, which allows “an outside, expert review to ensure cases are properly and thoroughly investigated.”
“Police services have an important role in supporting victims of crime and there are many reasons why those impacted by sexual violence are hesitant to engage in reporting systems. Most fear not being believed,” Jane McGregor, Anova's (formerly the Women's Community House with the Sexual Assault Centre London (SACL)) director of community programs said in the LPS press release. “This needs to change. We are working on changing this in our community.”
In addition, the review also looked at how to improve training sexual assault investigators in regards to responding to the needs of sexual assault victims and engaging with community partners. According to the official review report, additional training will be provided to officers in the areas pertaining to: the law of consent, consent and capacity, defenses, neurobiology of trauma, myths, stereotypes and development of law.
LPS will now have an advisory committee to help them review sexual assault investigations. The committee will be comprised of both members of the LPS and community representatives. CREDIT: LONDON POLICE SERVICE
• Investigation does not reach the threshold of reasonable grounds required to lay a criminal charge
• Incident is reported to police but the complainant/victim does not want to participate in an investigation or does not want to proceed further in the investigation
• A false allegation that is proven to be false with corroborating evidence other than from the accused, or the complainant admits to making a false complaint
Only cases that led officers to believe there existed reasonable grounds that an offence happened, or current ongoing investigations could be label as founded.
Prior to the review, a total of 1,030 sexual assault cases (44 per cent) were considered unfounded. However, after the review, only 6 per cent of cases fall under the unfounded classification.
“Unfortunately, categorizing investigations in which there was inadequate evidence to support a charge or the complainant decided to not participate, as unfounded left the incorrect impression that victims were not believed by investigators. This is categorically incorrect,” Chief Pare said in the review.
According to the official press release by LPS regarding the review, from now on, only cases where it has been determined through credible evidence that the offence did not occur or there was no violation of the Criminal Code or other federal statute will be labeled as unfounded.
The review also states that the LPS will have an advisory committee consisting of LPS members and community representatives. The committee will create terms of reference for future sexual assault cases. This committee model is influenced by the “Philadelphia model”, which allows “an outside, expert review to ensure cases are properly and thoroughly investigated.”
“Police services have an important role in supporting victims of crime and there are many reasons why those impacted by sexual violence are hesitant to engage in reporting systems. Most fear not being believed,” Jane McGregor, Anova's (formerly the Women's Community House with the Sexual Assault Centre London (SACL)) director of community programs said in the LPS press release. “This needs to change. We are working on changing this in our community.”
In addition, the review also looked at how to improve training sexual assault investigators in regards to responding to the needs of sexual assault victims and engaging with community partners. According to the official review report, additional training will be provided to officers in the areas pertaining to: the law of consent, consent and capacity, defenses, neurobiology of trauma, myths, stereotypes and development of law.
LPS will now have an advisory committee to help them review sexual assault investigations. The committee will be comprised of both members of the LPS and community representatives. CREDIT: LONDON POLICE SERVICE
