Toronto police launch new site for sex assault survivors

The Toronto Police Service (TPS) has launched a newinteractive website for sex assault survivorslooking forsupport and if they choose, information on how to report incidents to police.

"We knew telling victims to call police wasn't enough," said Det. Const.Deanna Gagliardiof the force'sSex Crimes Unit at the official launch of Yourchoice.toon Tuesday.

It also took time to consult sexual assault survivorslike Jean-PaulBdard,who says he'simpressed with the Sex Crimes Unit's vision for the website.

"Right away, it told me that this was going to be a much more sensitive project for people like me, people who are impacted by sexual violence," he said.

The homepage is emblazoned with the words, "We know you're going through a lot, how can we help you?"

Depending on how urgent the need for help is, visitors willbe directed to a page with phone numbers to call, including Toronto Police Victim Services and other non-police agencies like the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape hotline.

Chief Mark Saunders says he hopes the siteinspires survivors to trust and report to police if they have been hurt.

Sex assaults are one of the most chronically under reported crimes in Canada, Yourchoice.to is their initiative to change that.

"There is not a one-path-fits-all and that's what this states," Saunderssaid Tuesday."If we continue on the path we go on, we will continuously have many survivors slip between our fingers."

Survivor-centric language

The Frequently Asked Questions and information sections about consent, your rightsand reporting is available in 12 different languages. Bdardwanted to ensure that it was written with survivors in mind.

"This guide helps the TorontoPolice Service and officers and detectives who are responding on scene to approach the situation with a completely open mind," he said.

The site has a section explaining what the myths about sexual assault rapeare. Itusesthe word "survivor"as an umbrellaterm to refer to anyone who has been sexually assaulted. Adisclaimer also reads:"We support a person's right to choose how they wish to be identified."

Bdard hopes this way of interacting with people tricklesdown to responding officers.

In Canada, convictions result from only only one in 10sexual assault allegations. Bdardsayswhile the website won'tensure eventual convictions in the court system, it's at least an important upgrade from the original Victim Services reporting site.

"The number one thingthat happens when you are impacted by sexual violence is that you feel like you have no control. That you feel completely powerless," he said, drawing from his own experience as a sexual assault survivor.

"So much of this guide is to show the different levels of not only the police but the court system,how hospitals are involved,"he said.

"And how everybody is involved in moving a case towardsomewhat of a hopeful resolution for an individual who has been impacted by sexual violence."