Sexual-assault survivors have options

It’s a high-tech policing tool used to track violent crimes, and in the case of sexual assault, it can also be a place to turn to if victims aren’t ready to come forward to police.

VICLAS — the Violent Crime Linkage/Analysis System — is a national database used by police to help track violent offenders and sex offenders throughout the country. And while it can become a tool for police, it also becomes an alternative reporting system with the support of agencies like the Niagara Sexual Assault Centre.

Suzanne Mason, public education co-ordinator with the centre, says the tool is an easy way for staff at the centre to help victims identify suspects.

“People who don’t want to go to the police, but want the incident recorded, with maybe a name or other details, can have the information record in the databank,” said Mason.

Some people, she said, aren’t ready to talk to police. Other users of the system, she said, may have been someone with a historical case of assault that happened many years ago.

Reporting to police, said Mason, can be overwhelming for some people. The statistics surrounding reporting sexual assaults are staggering. According to a 2012 report, just five per cent of victims actually report their assault to police. The same statistics stated there are 460,000 sexual assaults in Canada every year. This means that for every 1,000 sexual assaults, just 33 are reported. From there, just 29 are recorded as a crime, just 12 have charges laid, six are prosecuted and just three lead to conviction. That means 997 alleged assailants out of every 1,000 walk free.

“It’s a startling statistic,” said Mason, noting that can be a deterrent to a victim wishing to report an assault.

“That’s why having alternatives to reporting an assault is critical.”

VICLAS, she said, allows the person reporting the assault to remain anonymous if they want to. While the centre will go through the questions and fill out the report with the complainant, which takes about 90 minutes on average to complete, their name is only handed over to police if they agree to it.

“It gives someone a bit more comfort if they are unsure or uneasy. It’s always traumatic for someone recalling these types of incidents,” said Mason. “Many people feel they want to do something and this gives them a different way to go about it.”

Many of the reports the Niagara centre files, she said, have been historic cases.

“Some are 20 years later, when someone finally feels like they can disclose the incident,” she said. “It can be difficult for police to press any charges, but they might be able to find multiple incidents or links in VICLAS that may help with an investigation.”

Mason wants community members across the region to know there are alternatives should a victim not be ready to go to police. She is raising awareness for the system during the month of May, which is Sexual Assault Prevention Month.

“We need to make sure people are aware of the options out there,” said Mason. “We need to advocate, but we also need to educate our community.”

In addition to VICLAS, she said, there are other alternatives for survivors. Some choose to launch a civil suit instead of going through criminal courts. One of the reasons, said Mason, is that in a criminal case the Crown must prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. In a civil case, however, it’s a balance of probabilities — a very different standard.

Other options include human rights tribunals and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. Each route, she said, has its own different scenarios and remedies, and much like the civil system, the burden of proof is on a balance of probabilities.

“I think victims sometimes feel like their options are limited, but when you look at it, there are many different ways to help support their needs,” said Mason, noting all survivors have their own comfort levels and needs when seeking justice.

“We want to give people back their self esteem and help them overcome that feeling of guilt and shame. We just want to help.”

Information on the Niagara Sexual Assault Centre and its services, including a 24-hour crisis and information line, can be accessed online at niagarasexualassaultcentre.com or by calling 905-682-4584.