Quebec expands probe into aboriginal women's allegations of police abuse

Quebec is giving aboriginal women an alternative wayto report complaints againstpolice, in the hope of encouraging anyone with allegationsto come forward,Quebec Public Security Minister MartinCoiteuxsaid Tuesday.

The province hasset up a new hotline for aboriginal people to call to make a complaint if they don't want to deal directly with police.

• New hotline number:1-888-844-2094
• Existing Montreal police hotline: 1-844-615-3118

Calls to this hotline will be directed to the existing parajudicialcounselling service for aboriginal peopleServices parajudiciairesautochtonesdu Qubec whichwill guide complainantsand refer them to victim services.

Coiteuxsaid the Montreal police force will investigate all complaints from now on, unless the allegationis against a Montreal police officer.

• More aboriginal women allege abuse at hands of Quebec provincial police

The government's latest initiativescome in the wake of new allegations fromaboriginal women across Quebec claimingphysicaland sexual abuse atthe hands ofSretduQubecofficers.

"The public confidence in police forces has been shaken, and we want tomake sure that every complaint is taken seriously," said Geoffrey Kelley, the minister responsible for aboriginal affairs, who accompaniedCoiteaux in making the announcement.

Government promised action

Last week,Coiteux called the nature of the women's allegations "extremely serious, very troubling and unacceptable."

"These allegations will for sure bring with them a government response. We won't sit around with our arms crossed," he said.

The women from various places across the province, includingScheffervilleandManiwaki saidthey decidedto share their own experiences after Radio-Canada's investigative programEnquteaired a story lastNovemberabout the experience ofaboriginal women inVal-d'Or.

One woman, Lise Jourdain, said she was assaultedbySQ officers more than25 years ago.

"I was raped by police officers in Schefferville," she told Enqute.

The women in Val-d'Orclaimthey were assaultedbySretduQubecofficers over a period of two decades.

Better police training

Coiteaux also announced the establishment ofa new working group tostudy how to provide better training for police officers working with people inindigenous communities.

He said thegroup will work withthecole nationale de police du Qubec (ENPQ)the provincial police academy at Nicolet.