Yukon RCMP are reviewing all sexual assault cases deemed as unfounded in 2016.

RCMP across the country have been compelled to re-examine these cases following a breakthrough Globe and Mail investigative report.

“I think any police organization can always do better,” Whitehorse RCMP Insp. Archie Thompson told the Star in an interview Tuesday.

“I’ll be keenly interested in what the results of the review determine, and then we’ll take steps from there.”

The Globe and Mail’s 20-month investigation looked at sexual assault allegations between 2010 and 2014 from more than 870 police forces across the country.

They found that police dismiss one of every five sexual assault reports as unfounded.

This means they determined a crime was neither committed nor attempted.

The Yukon had some of the highest rates of unfounded cases in the country:

• 29 per cent of cases in Whitehorse;

• 35 per cent in Dawson City;

• 37 per cent in Haines Junction; and

• 21 per cent in Watson Lake.

“I just want to make sure the public understands we take very seriously the need to thoroughly investigate sexual assaults,” Thompson said.

He added that a thorough investigation means “leaving no stone unturned.”

He gave the example of an uncle reporting the sexual assault of his 16-year-old niece who the police find is engaging in a consensual sexual relationship with her 20-year-old boyfriend as a case that would be deemed unfounded.

But even before the Globe and Mail’s investigation, many sexual assault survivors have come forward with complaints about how police handle these crimes. 

“If anybody’s not satisfied, they can speak with a supervisor at the RCMP,” explained Insp. Thompson.

“I’m confident that if any of their concerns can be addressed, they will be.”

He noted they are working with community partners, including the Yukon Women’s Coalition, to provide ongoing training for staff.

They also have a specialized response unit for cases of domestic violence, sexual assault and child welfare, where staff with specialized training assist with these investigations.

“One story where a victim doesn’t have a positive experience that leaves him or her to leave the system, and we know that affects other victims who might want to come forward, is too many,” Justice Minister of Tracy-Anne McPhee told the Star Monday.

“Individuals that are reporting a very traumatic event deserve to have the support of the services that are there to support them.”

She noted that the Yukon’s rate of sexual violence is three times higher than the national average.

“The safety and well-being of victims are a priority,” she said.

McPhee added one of her commitment mandates is to review and improve services in the territory.

She wants greater co-ordination among the RCMP, the territorial victim’s services branch and medical professionals.

One project close to completion is a 12-module program across the territories called Essential Skills for Northern Victim Services Workers. It’s aimed at community members who may receive disclosures of sexual assault.

“A victim’s first experience with someone of authority is very important,” she said.

Barb McInerney, executive director of Yukon Women’s Transition Home Society, told the Star there are many reasons why someone may not want to report a sexual assault to the police.

“There’s a whole array of different reasons, especially since sexualized violence is such a brutalized invasion of sense of self,” she said.

These reasons include a person’s capacity to report, past difficulties with police or the legal system, inability to attend court, and factors like poverty, oppression, safety and family limitations.

There are also many tight-knit communities in the Yukon that may make reporting difficult.

“It’s very hard to move forward when you might be seeing the person that assaulted you everyday,” explained Elaine Michaud, executive director of Les EssentiELLES, the French-language women’s organization in Whitehorse.

But there are many resources within the territory for survivors who do not want to go to the police.

Kaushee’s Place and Betty’s Haven provide residential support services, referrals, advocacy, and accompaniment for victims of violence.

They also offer a third-party reporting service where survivors are able to anonymously report the details of an assault to police.

Other resources include “kits on ice” where evidence kits are saved for up to six months while a person decides whether to report to police.

And Victim Link is a 24-hour toll-free confidential phone line based in B.C. for victims of crime.

Also, women’s groups stress a need for a change in societal attitudes.

“The first step to help out survivors is make sure that there’s a better social response when someone discloses,” said Michaud.

“There’s still a lot of victim blaming, a lot of doubt.”