Police Services Board reviews how the Hamilton police handled sexual assault investigations

It’s been a few days now since the Hamilton police released the results of a review of unfounded sexual assault cases. Today, the Police Services Board got a detailed outline of what was uncovered in the review and the steps that have been taken already to improve the process of victims of sexual assault.

At the meeting, members of the Sexual Assault Community Review Team shared the results of their 18 month study into how Hamilton Police handled sexual assault investigations.

“We come out of this with all the outside agencies and our own service agreeing on the next steps forward to ensure victims of sexual assaults are in fact protected and the justice that is necessary is served.” Lloyd Ferguson.

The Sexual Assault Community review team discovered that some investigators were relying on victim blaming, and predetermining outcomes without a full investigation, they recommended training which has already been implemented.

Hamilton Police will also review any past sexual assault cases that were previously investigated between 2010 and now, if the victim wants them to.

As of Tuesday, 510 sexual assaults have been reported to Hamilton Police this year and that number is expected to climb to 575 by the end of December.

This was also the last police services board meeting for chair Lloyd Ferguson, and a couple of the other board members. A new board will be chosen at the next meeting on December 20th.