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M.L. RCMP monthly report shows dramatic increase in sexual assaults

Nov 16, 2016 | 4:00 PM

A recent report filed by the M.L. RCMP suggests sexual assault cases have increased in the city, but officials say the data is the result of an awareness campaign.

Between Jan. 1, 2016 and Oct. 31, 2016, 66 sexual assaults were reported, compared to 19 in the same time span in 2015 and 17 in 2014.

The numbers are from the detailed monthly police report by Staff Sgt. Tim Sartison, the new detachment commander, who prepares the document each month and presents it to city council.

“The dramatic increase in sexual assault complaints can be attributed to the sexual assault awareness occurring in the community, specifically the schools,” Sartison wrote in the report.

The sexual assault awareness councillor in Meadow Lake, Jody Bender, agrees 100 per cent that it’s not more sexual assaults happening, rather it’s that more people are reporting them.

“People are aware there’s resources out there, like us and our counselling services,” Bender said. “Being out in the communities and schools, doing public education programs, introducing ourselves, dropping off cards and posters, people see that, and they’re aware we’re here. Once they’re aware there’s resources they can go to that can help them through the process, it makes more people come forward.”

Bender added a lot of victims feel alone, embarrassed, and scared to report the assault, but once they know there’s counselling available and others out there in the same situation, they tend to feel more comfortable reporting.

When Bender first started travelling her circuit which includes Meadow Lake, La Loche, Goodsoil and communities between she said lots of people didn’t even know there was such a thing as a sexual assault centre.

“We don’t only do counselling; we accompany people to court, the RCMP or the hospital. We’re there as a support to them,” she explained.

 

– Note: Annual incident numbers are from January to October. This report does not include numbers for November and December in past years.

Colton Swiderski is meadowlakeNOW’s municipal affairs, crime and court, health and education reporter. He can be reached at cswiderski@jpbg.ca or tweet him @coltonswiderski.