Unfounded: Police Dismiss 1 in 5 Sexual Assault Claims as Baseless

Overview

• Source: The Globe and Mail investigation
• Duration: 20-month investigation
• Scope: Data from over 870 police forces across Canada
• Findings: Systemic issues in handling sexual assault allegations

Ava's Case

• Context: Ava, a university student, was sexually assaulted at a party.
• Incident Details:
  • Ava was drinking at a party and later found herself outside, assaulted.
  • Witnesses recorded the incident, causing the assailant to flee.
• Police Response:
  • Ava's case was closed as "unfounded" by the London Police Service.
  • The assailant was never charged, only warned.

Investigation Findings

National Statistics

• Unfounded Rate: 19.39% for sexual assault, nearly double that of physical assault (10.84%).
• False Reports: Estimated between 2% and 8% from studies in various regions.

Discrepancies and Implications

• Reporting and Charges: Only 34% of sexual assault cases lead to charges when including unfounded cases.
• Regional Variations: Unfounded rates vary significantly across different jurisdictions.
• Training and Myths:
  • Lack of adequate police training on trauma and interviewing techniques.
  • Persistence of rape myths affecting case handling.

Deep-Seated Issues

Police Practices

• Variation in Practices: Differing rates of unfounded cases suggest inconsistent police practices.
• Ottawa's Example: Dramatic drop in unfounded rates after public scrutiny and improved training.

Historical Context

• Changes in Law: 1980s and 90s saw progressive changes in sexual assault laws.
• Public Cases: High-profile cases (e.g., Jian Ghomeshi, Brock Turner) have spotlighted the issue.

Challenges in Investigations

Interview Techniques

• Trauma-Informed Approach: Emphasizes understanding trauma's impact on memory and reporting.
• Memory Impairment: Victims struggle to recall events linearly due to trauma's effect on the brain.

Systemic Flaws

• Lack of Standardization: Need for national standards in police training.
• Resource Limitations: Smaller communities lack specialized units to handle cases.

Advocacy and Recommendations

• Training Needs: Calls for mandatory specialized training for handling sexual-assault cases.
• Public Scrutiny Effect: Enhanced oversight and training can lead to better handling of cases.

Conclusion

• Impact on Victims: High unfounded rates can deter reporting and breed distrust.
• Statistical Concerns: Lack of transparency in unfounded statistics hampers accountability.
• Call for Change: Need for systemic reforms in police training and case management.

Credits

• Reporting and Analysis: Robyn Doolittle and The Globe and Mail team
• Data Analysis and Verification: Terra Ciolfe, Michael Pereira, and others