Police Community Leader Award: Sexual Assault Review Committee

The Police Community Leader Award is presented to a leader in the City of Greater Sudbury in recognition of unselfish assistance provided to the Police Service or for an initiative that has made a positive impact on the effectiveness of the Police Service. 

In 2017, the Greater Sudbury Police Service working in collaboration with community partner agencies, formed a Sexual Assault Review Committee comprised of representatives from the Looking Ahead to Build the Spirit of Our Women – Learning to Live Free From Violence Project (N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre/Greater Sudbury Police Service), Sudbury & Area Victim Services, Violence Intervention and Prevention Program (Health Sciences North), YWCA Genevra House, Centre Victoria pour femmes and Jennifer Dowdall of the Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office at Laurentian University who sits as Legal Advocate for the Committee.

These advocates are independent from the Police Service and provide support services to Survivors of Sexual Assault.

The Committee reviews cases that have been classified as “unfounded” or where charges have not been laid to ensure best practices in reporting and to improve the effectiveness of the investigative process with an emphasis on trauma-informed techniques.

In addition to improving the quality of the Sexual Assault investigations, the Committee has also led to service improvements with the addition of an online reporting option for Survivors of Sexual Assault. In March 2019, an online reporting option was added to GSPS CopLogic allowing Survivors to report from the comfort and security of their homes while minimizing the number of times they have to share their experience. Their first point of contact is a specifically trained Detective from the Criminal Investigations Division who specializes in Survivor-focused investigative techniques. This initial interaction can be done over the phone or in the comfort of their home, removing the need to attend Police headquarters.

The Sexual Assault Review Committee is not only imperative in providing trauma-informed perspectives while reviewing cases but is also dedicated to initiating collaborative initiatives within our community to raise awareness and address the prevalence and impact of sexual violence on Survivors.

The members of the Committee dedicate time taken away from their own work in order to come together and improve our overall response and service-delivery for Survivors of Sexual Assault. Responding to Sexual Violence is a shared commitment that requires not only police investigation but wrap around social and medical services. This Committee continues to focus their efforts on a Survivor-centred approach and have done an exceptional job of increasing public trust and accountability for the Greater Sudbury Police Service.

Congratulations to the Sexual Assault Review Committee – recipient of the 2020 Police Community Leader Award.