New draft policy for sex-assault investigations expected by end of 2018: London police board

The London Police Services Board (LPSB) says it expects to have an updated draft policy detailing how the force should investigate sexual-assault cases ready by the end of 2018.

The revised timeframe came on Friday in an update from the board about its ongoing policy review.

The review began earlier this year with the goal of making the process for reporting sexual assaults victim-centred and trauma-informed. It came in the wake of concerns over the number of sexual-assault complaints that were deemed “unfounded.”

In February, the board called on Londoners to share their experiences with the review. The board said the call came with an emphasis toward the experiences of Indigenous women, women of colour, members of the LGBTTQQI2S community, people with disabilities, and people in the sex trade.

In April, the board created a formal sub-committee to oversee the review.

In its update Friday, the board said the revised date was so members could “take a deeper dive into two key gaps in the information received: Indigenous experiences and a focus on the intersection between peoples experiencing mental health lens on sexual assaults.”

“The LPSB is seeking support from organizations or researchers who are willing to lend support to mobilize existing literature and reports on the subject matter.”

Those interested in volunteering are asked to contact Jennifer Foster at lpsb@londonpolice.ca or 519-661-5646.

Feedback for the review can also be provided using the above email address. Arrangements can also be made to speak with a member of the board’s sub-committee on community relations, the board said.