SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATIONS
Who will investigate my case? All sexual assault cases are investigated by police officers who are specifically trained in the area of sexual assault investigations. The training that sexual assault investigators receive is focused on creating a consistent and thorough investigation into sexual assault cases while respecting the needs of the victims and witnesses. The training is designed to enhance investigations of sexual assault by promoting best practices in addition to victim sensitivity.
A Sexual Assault Investigator will be assigned and will:
‣ Encourage the collection of all evidence including a SAEK, as necessary; ‣ Connect the victim/survivor with the VSU; ‣ Assess and discuss with the victim/survivor where and when an in-depth interview will take place. (The majority of interviews take place at the police station and are videotaped); ‣ Advise the victim/survivor that they may have the assistance of a support person of their choice before or after the interview; this could include a person from Ottawa Victim Services (OVS) or a community sexual assault service; and ‣ Keep the victim/survivor informed of the progress of the investigation in a timely manner.
‣ Investigate the incident fully; ‣ Investigators will sometimes ask questions that you may feel are repetitive, personal in nature, or judgmental such as “What were you wearing at the time?” or “How much alcohol had you consumed?” It’s important to remember the investigators are not passing judgment but rather seeking clarification to ensure they gather all of the facts and will not have to re-interview you at a later date; ‣ Work with victims/survivors in a manner that acknowledges and respects individual identity related concerns or needs (i.e. faith-based accommodations, community specific resources, etc.); ‣ Lay charges when appropriate as per Provincial policing standards; ‣ Ensure the victim/survivor has access to medical care;
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