Systemic Investigation – Survivors of sexual assault

The Office of the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime is conducting a national systemic investigation on how survivors of sexual violence are treated in the Canadian criminal justice system. The objective of this investigation is to highlight critical shortcomings within the Canadian criminal justice system and drive much-needed reforms across the entire system. Changing the way survivors of sexual assault are treated in Canada’s criminal justice system is critical. These improvements must be guided by the voices of survivors to advocate for victims’ rights and improve their journey through the system.

Who can participate? People in Canada who have experienced sexual violence, whether reported or not, and are 16 or older, or caregivers who have reported sexual violence for a child or a person with a disability.

What if I never reported to the police? We want to learn more about the reasons survivors do not report.

Will the survey ask difficult questions? All questions are optional. You can choose to skip a question or not continue at any point. A list of support agencies is available here.

How will you protect my privacy? We will not ask for your name or contact information. Your answers will be anonymous so you can’t be identified.

How long will the survey take? The survey will take 20 – 45 minutes to complete. This will depend on how far your case progressed and how much you write in open-ended questions.

What will you do with my answers? What we learn will be included in a final report with recommendations. We will request a formal response from the federal government.

To participate: Please click here Sexual Violence and Criminal Justice in Canada – Survivors

For more information: Systematic Investigation – Survivors of sexual assault 

Get Support – BC: Victim Link BC Phone: 1-800-563-0808 (multilingual services available)