The pilot project of the SQ shunned by the victims of sexual violence

Kathryne Lamontagne

Thursday, 25 January 2018 21:22

UPDATE
Thursday, 25 January 2018 21:22

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Not only the Sûreté du Québec has not yet established its independent committee in charge of reviewing the unsubstantiated complaints of sexual violence, but its pilot is being shunned so far by the victims, learned The Newspaper.

In December 2017, the minister Martin Coiteux announced the launch of a pilot project of one year, in collaboration with the SQ, to reconsider the complaints of sexual assault unfounded. The police estimated that approximately 2000 cases have been investigated and have been closed without indictment, since 2013.

While the method “Philadelphia” advocates a systematic review of these cases by civilians, this pilot project quebec rather invites the victim to make a request for a review via the mav@surete.qc.ca. However, barely a handful of them have indicated their interest. “We had a few requests for the victims,” admits Martine Asselin, a spokesperson for the SQ.

“Resistance “

The Regroupement québécois des centres d’aide et de lutte contre les agressions à caractère sexuel (RQCALACS) said they understand this ” resistance “. “Years ago, they were told that their file would not be running, or it would not even be deposited in the office of Crown prosecutors. I’m not surprised that most will say : no, I don’t rembarquerai’t there “, stated the spokesperson, Stéphanie Tremblay.

Same sound of bell on the side of the SQ, which tends to be new hand to the victims. “It’s an adventure re-open it, advance Ms. Asselin. There were, perhaps, who were not ready or were afraid that there are too many records. On the contrary. It is there. There is a way for these victims, there is a forum for them. “

If the situation persists, the police could decide to review at its discretion one or the other of the unsubstantiated cases, the victim is apparent or not. “We’re going in target folders, to bring them to the committee. It is already done, ” said Ms. Asselin.

Still no committee

Remember that these files are based will be reviewed by an independent committee, consisting of different community groups and civilians, including the RQCALACS. Two months after the announcement of its creation, the committee has not yet been formed and thus has not commenced his work, which had yet to be done at the beginning of 2018, provided the authorities during the announcement of the pilot project.

It is clear that the revision could not snap before spring. “We are in the process of forming the committee, with all the people who have the expertise needed to the table,” reassured Ms. Asselin. “There is no major disagreement, but there needs to be discussions,” adds Tremblay.

The problem lies mainly in the difficulty to designate one person per group calendar which will be available to attend all of the review activities of the committee, in order to ensure continuity and the confidentiality of records.