An Ontario resident who regularly disclosed her encounters as a survivor of sexual assault during police training programs has decided to sever ties with the Ontario Police College. She has voiced concerns about what she and multiple experts consider to be harmful prejudices held by certain officers and a lack of accountability within the college.
Last year, she received anonymous feedback from two officers that she describes as deeply distressing and humiliating. Over the years, she volunteered to speak at training sessions organized by the college for sexual assault investigators, with CBC News safeguarding her identity due to her status as a survivor.
The comments she received, which labeled her as “damaged,” criticized her for being overly critical of law enforcement, and assumed a mental health diagnosis, are not only hurtful but also reflect biased perspectives that could impact the integrity of sexual assault inquiries, according to experts.
Despite bringing her concerns to the college over four months ago, she is still awaiting answers regarding the status of the officers involved and whether they are engaged in sexual assault investigations. She expressed feeling dismissed, judged, and angry, emphasizing the need for accountability.
Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General oversees the Ontario Police College. In response to inquiries, a ministry spokesperson mentioned that the college is directly addressing the survivor’s situation but did not provide details on the officers under scrutiny or the handling of the complaint.
Having shared her story of sexual assault involving a priest in 2004, the survivor continues to find it challenging to recount her experiences. However, she agreed to speak at an OPC training course in hopes of enhancing officers’ understanding of survivors’ struggles. Since 2022, she has delivered presentations as part of a mandatory training course for officers investigating sexual assaults.
Following the receipt of negative feedback from two officers last year, her relationship with the college deteriorated. The survivor highlighted that the officers’ comments missed the essence of trauma-informed approaches and proper conduct in dealing with sexual assault survivors.
Experts suggest that these comments perpetuate harmful stereotypes and biases that could impact sexual assault investigations, potentially hindering access to justice for survivors. The survivor is concerned that officers with such views might be assigned to handle sexual assault cases, raising apprehensions about survivors’ well-being during interviews.
Calls for accountability and transparency from the OPC have remained unanswered, causing the survivor and advocates to question the commitment to addressing biased behavior within law enforcement. The lack of responsiveness raises broader concerns about institutional transparency and police oversight, according to experts.
In light of the handling of her complaint and the comments made by officers, the survivor believes that rebuilding her relationship with the police college is unlikely. She emphasizes the importance of engaging with organizations that comprehend victimization and trauma for any future disclosures of her story.