An individual from Ontario, who regularly shared her journey as a survivor of sexual assault during police training sessions, has decided to cut ties with the Ontario Police College. She has raised concerns about what she and multiple experts perceive as detrimental biases present among certain officers and a lack of accountability within the college.
This decision follows the receipt of anonymous comments from two officers last year that deeply affected her, leaving her feeling “mortified” and “humiliated.” For years, she has volunteered to speak at training sessions organized by the college for sexual assault investigators. To protect her identity as a survivor, CBC News has chosen not to disclose her name.
The comments made by the officers, labeling her as “damaged,” accusing her of being overly critical of the police, and presuming a mental health diagnosis, have been criticized by experts as not only hurtful but also indicative of biases that could jeopardize the integrity of sexual assault inquiries.
Despite bringing her concerns to the college more than four months ago, the woman has yet to receive any information on whether these officers are actively involved in sexual assault investigations. She expressed feeling dismissed, judged, and angered by the lack of accountability in addressing her grievances.
The Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General oversees the operations of the Ontario Police College. In response to inquiries from CBC News, ministry spokesperson Brent Ross stated that the college is in direct communication with the survivor to address the situation. However, specific details regarding the officers in question and the handling of the woman’s complaint remain undisclosed.
In 2004, the woman reported being sexually assaulted by a priest, leading to criminal charges being laid against the accused. Despite a Canadawide warrant for his arrest, he evaded trial by leaving the country. Even after two decades, sharing her story remains a challenging task. However, when asked to speak at an Ontario Police College training course, she hoped to provide officers with a deeper insight into the experiences of sexual assault survivors.
Since 2022, she has spoken at numerous training sessions organized by the college, aiming to enhance officers’ understanding of survivors’ challenges in recounting traumatic events during interviews. Despite receiving positive feedback over the years and maintaining a good relationship with the college, her perception changed drastically following the disparaging comments from the two officers last year.
Following each training session, participants submit anonymous feedback, which is shared with all instructors and volunteer presenters like the survivor interviewed by CBC News. The critical comments made by the officers highlighted a lack of understanding and empathy towards sexual assault survivors, emphasizing the need for a more trauma-informed approach in investigations.
Concerns have been raised regarding the potential assignment of these officers to sexual assault cases and the impact on survivors they may interact with. Experts emphasize that biases and stereotypes can significantly influence the outcome of investigations, potentially hindering access to justice for survivors.
The lack of accountability and transparency in addressing the survivor’s complaints not only undermines public trust in policing but also reflects broader systemic issues within law enforcement. Experts underscore the importance of addressing biases within the police force and providing adequate training to ensure fair and respectful treatment of sexual assault survivors.
The survivor expressed her disillusionment with the handling of her complaint and believes that her relationship with the police college may be beyond repair. She emphasized the need for organizations that prioritize understanding victimization and trauma should she choose to share her story in the future.