Greater Sudbury Police, in co-operation with several community groups, have created a committee to review all sexual assault cases in the city.
The move is in part a reaction to a Globe & Mail story last year that found 33 per cent of complaints filed with Sudbury police are dismissed as “unfounded.” That compares with the national unfounded rate of 19.39 per cent – nearly twice as high as it is for physical assault (10.84 per cent), and dramatically higher than that of other types of crime.
In the five years of data examined in the article, the highest unfounded rate was in 2012, when 38 per cent of complaints in Sudbury were dismissed, or 77 of 202 allegations. The lowest was in 2013, when 28 per cent were dismissed, or 52 of 189 complaints. That compares to 12.2 per cent of assault cases being dismissed over the same time period, 2010-2014.
Police at the time promised an in-depth review of the factors of why so many cases are dropped. An update on those efforts will be reviewed at next week's police services board meeting,
“For several months, a dedicated team assembled to review sexual assaults have been working together to establish a Community Sexual Assault Case Review Committee,” says a report for next week's meeting.
“The police, in collaboration with Voices For Women, Centre Victoria, Genevra House, N’Swakamok Friendship Centre, Sudbury, and Area Victim Services (SAVS) have executed” a memo of understanding about how the committee will function.
“Additionally, a legal advocate has been appointed who is a volunteer with one of the noted agencies. This dedicated team has been established to undertake comprehensive reviews of all sexual assault cases.”
The goals is “to ensure transparency and accountability through a collaborative and victim-centred approach to investigations of sexual violence,” the report says.
“This committee promotes open communication and interaction between the police and advocacy agencies with a view to develop best practice response to reports of sexual violence. The review has been positive and engaging.”
