After being criticized earlier this year for their handling of sexual assault cases, London police will now be at the leading edge of a new review process aimed at ensuring investigations are thorough and claims aren't inadvertently deemed “unfounded."
The London Police Service announced on Monday that it is one of four in the province selected to pilot the implementation of the Philadelphia Model for reviewing sexual assault investigations. The Philadelphia Model is a collaborative review process that allows outside experts to review sexual assault files to ensure the investigation was thorough and properly classified.
“We are looking forward to implementing this model as we believe it is one more way to continue to develop best practices and evidenced-based, trauma-informed investigations to provide an improved response and more support for victims of sexual violence,” said Chief John Pare in a statement. “We support having a review model that will enable outside, expert review to ensure cases are properly and thoroughly investigated, and will provide oversight and accountability."
London police have been working to improve the way officers handle sexual assault investigations since February when a report by the Globe and Mail showed police in London were dismissing nearly one-third of all claims as unfounded.
The results of an internal review announced in September showed, of the 1,030 sexual assault cases between 2010 and 2016 previously determined to be unfounded, only 143 actually were. It also led to police 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 are now be categorized as unfounded.
Member selection for the review committee will be completed by mid-January. The first case reviews are expected to be done in early 2018.
“The Advisory Committee is very excited and reassured about this collaborative opportunity and the commitment from the London Police,” said Jane McGregor, Anova’s director of community programs and lead of the London Case Review Advisory committee. “Our goal is to create a system where all survivors who chose to report feel supported. We are hopeful that case review will help to identify trends and gaps so barriers can be addressed.”
Police services in Peterborough, Timmins, and Ottawa will also be taking part in the pilot project.