The movement #moiaussi causes a marked increase in denunciations to the police

Archival Photo, QMI Agency
Pamela Person, at the rally #moiaussi to denounce the culture of rape in Quebec city last November.

Pascal Dugas Drone

Friday, 2 march 2018 05:00

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Friday, 2 march 2018 05:00

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The number of denunciations of sexual violence made to the police in quebec has experienced a marked increase since the advent of the movement #MoiAussi, last October.

A request for access to information made to each of the six largest police forces in the Quebec found that the phenomenon has touched the four corners of the province.

In Montreal, the number of denunciations of sexual violence in the eastern sector of the city has quadrupled in the month of October (81), compared to the average of the nine previous months of the year (20).

In Quebec, an average of 37 complaints were recorded by the police Department of the City of Quebec (SPVQ), from January to September, but this average has climbed by 50 % over the last three months of 2017, to 57.

Similar phenomenon to the Sûreté du Québec. The police force has received a monthly average of 121 complaints of a sexual nature from January to September, but this number has increased to 199 from October.

Phenomenon is well now

The police service of Montreal and Quebec city have confirmed that the movement #MoiAussi has indeed had an impact on the denunciations they have received.

“It is sure that there has been an increase in the number of denunciations, which led to the creation of a special line “, explained Darren Martin McMahon-Payette, a spokesperson for the Montreal police.

The SPVM has also mobilized additional resources to meet the increase in the number of files to be processed. Since then, the movement has diminished, noted Mr. McMahon-Payette, as well as the police force has closed its special line.

The police Department of the City of Quebec has seen the same trend, but ensures that, despite a larger number of denunciations, each of them was taken seriously.

“Actually, the SPVQ has noted an increase of denunciations in respect of crimes of sexual violence. However, our practices have not changed, even if there has been an increase [in October], ” said Étienne Doyon, a spokesperson for the police of Quebec.

Always felt

The Regroupement québécois des centres d’aide et de lutte contre les agressions à caractère sexuel (RQCALACS), it indicates that the increase in complaints to the police is “representative” of what has been experienced in the centres.

“Even today, when I talk to SACC a little everywhere in Quebec, they told me to be always overflowed, not only for the direct assistance, but also for awareness-raising activities “, said the spokesperson of the RQCALACS, Stéphanie Tremblay. “It is certain that the events which we have been witnesses to the fall have had an impact “, she added.

Even if the SACC does not recommend routinely the victims go to the police, the grouping was glad to see some women have the courage to contact the authorities. “Ultimately, what we hope for, is that more perpetrators are sentenced,” said Ms. Tremblay.

The movement #moiaussi by police (evolution of the monthly average, 2017)

• Sûreté du Québec : 121 (first 9 months) 196 (October and November)
• Montreal Police (sector is) : 20 (first 9 months), 81 (October)
• Québec Police : 37 – (first 9 months) to 57 (October, November, December)
• Laval : 17 (first 9 months) to 34 (October)
• Gatineau : 258 (annual 2016) 335 (annual 2017 until 21 December)
• Longueuil : No significant difference