Enhancing Police Response to Sexual Violence

Province Funding Projects Focused on Innovation and Supporting Survivors

Ontario is supporting people who have experienced sexual assault through a program that builds partnerships between community and justice partners, front-line victim service providers and police services across the province.

Fifteen two-year pilot projects have been selected that will provide a more compassionate, sensitive response when survivors of sexual violence come forward and report their experiences.

The projects will also enhance police investigative practices, with a goal of building stronger cases and improving justice system outcomes.

This initiative is part of It’s Never Okay, Ontario’s ground-breaking action plan to end sexual violence and harassment, and also supports Walking Together: Ontario’s Long-Term Strategy to End Violence Against Indigenous Women.

Building a safer, more inclusive and more equitable province is part of Ontario’s plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario has allocated $1.795 million over two years to support 15 police pilot projects, with report-back requirements at specific milestones.
• The next call for applications is expected to be issued to police services in spring 2018.
• It is estimated that one in three Canadian women experiences sexual assault.
• Ontario has committed $41 million over three years to support implementation of the provincial Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

• Police Pilot Projects to Improve Response to Sexual Violence

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• It’s Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment.
• Walking Together: Ontario’s Long-Term Strategy to End Violence Against Indigenous Women.