The number of sexual assault claims deemed "unfounded" by London police has dropped dramatically to 6% following an internal review.
On Thursday, Chief John Pare told the London Police Services Board that, of 1,030 sexual assault cases between 2010 and 2016 previously determined to be unfounded, only 143 actually were.
The probe into police handling of sexual assaults was launched in February after a report by the Globe and Mail showed police in London were dismissing nearly one-third of all claims as unfounded.
Unfounded is a legal designation that was applied to cases in which the results of an investigation did not meet the threshold to lay criminal charges, a victim choose not to move forward with charges, or the allegation was proven to be false with corroborating evidence.
"Lets not forget reasonable grounds is a legal definition, it's a level to reach, it doesn't necessarily mean that it did not happen and I think that is where some of those mistakes are," said Pare. "We need to be mindful of the perception that we leave with the victims."
As a result of the review, police are changing the manner in which sexual assault cases are classified to better convey belief in victims. Only cases in which there is evidence that a sexual assault did not take place will now be categorized as unfounded.
Additional steps being taken by the force include the development of an updated and improved information pamphlet for sexual assault victims, enhanced officer training, and an advisory committee led by Anova's Director of Community Programs, Jane McGregor. The advisory committee is tasked with developing a community-based case review process.
"The numbers presented aren't anything that we don't already know because the stories that we hear from survivors walking through our doors and not wanting to report for various reasons, not being believed," said McGregor, who also addressed the Police Services Board on Thursday. "Our community, our community services, our police services are invested in making changes and really important changes that are necessary for folks that have been impacted by sexual violence."
To see the full report into the review of "unfounded" sexual assault investigations click here.