TORONTO — A unique Canadian program meant to ensure sexual-assault cases aren’t closed inappropriately by police is set to run out of federal funding at
the end of the month, its national co-ordinator said.
The program received a three-year grant from Women and Gender Equality Canada that is set to run out on March 31, Marriner said. It previously received a similar grant in its earlier years. Organizers have spoken to the federal government about the need for sustainable funding but haven’t heard anything back, and there are “no other avenues” at this time, she said.
Some local committees have received money provincially through sexual assault support centres, but that funding has been “piecemeal,” Marriner said.Without new funding, “it’s going to be hard to support communities if they want to start ,” she added. The Philadelphia program is based on random sampling and seeks to identify overarching best practices rather than helping individual complainants, she said. Under the Canadian model, the experts review “every single case that does not proceed to charges” in local areas, under strict confidentiality agreements, she said.
Every local committee operates in the same way, with each member reviewing a share of the cases independently on a quarterly basis, she said. That’s partly because police compile crime statistics quarterly, and partly so that there’s still “some investigative potential,” she said. It’s normal for the committee and police to disagree, but over time, if the committee feels the process is being treated as “an optics exercise,” they can and should walk away, she said.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Unique program that reviews Canadian sex assault cases with no charges to run out of fundingA unique Canadian program meant to ensure sexual assault cases aren't closed inappropriately by police is set to run out of federal funding at the end of the month, its national co-ordinator said.
Read more »
Toronto Metropolitan University Hosts Canadian University Men's Hockey National ChampionshipsAs the traditionally white sport grapples with allegations of discrimination and abuse, Black players say the diversity and inclusion in TMU’s hockey program show a way forward.
Read more »
Toronto Argonauts sign Canadian free agents Tunde Adeleke, Fraser SopikThe Toronto Argonauts shored up their Canadian content on the opening day of CFL free agency.
Read more »
Neil Young announces North American tour, Toronto only Canadian stopCanadian folk legend Neil Young is hitting the road this spring for a North American tour and the only date north of the border on the 16-show run is in Toronto.
Read more »
Canadian Premier League's Cavalry FC and Vancouver FC to Kick Off Canadian ChampionshipThe Canadian Premier League's Cavalry FC and Vancouver FC will kick off the Canadian Championship on April 23 in Calgary. Major League Soccer's Toronto FC will also take on League1 Ontario's Simcoe Country Rovers FC at Toronto's BMO Field on April 24. The preliminary stage will wrap with the CPL's HFX Wanderers hosting Ligue1 Quebec's CS St-Laurent on May 2. The six preliminary stage winners will advance to the quarterfinals, joined by reigning champion Vancouver Whitecaps and runner-up CF Montreal, both of whom received byes.
Read more »
The former home and office of famed director Norman JewisonDowntown Toronto heritage property offers the unique opportunity to live above a crucial site in Canadian film history
Read more »