The purpose of this research was to examine the experiences survivors of sexual assault have had with police upon reporting, and using a feminist framework, explored whether there is a connection between their response and the education and training they receive.
Research shows that some police possess personal beliefs about sexual assault and that these beliefs can negatively affect the survivors who report their sexual assault. This may or may not result in either survivors choosing not to report sexual assault, or deciding to withdraw their complaint with police.
These beliefs can also influence whether or not perpetrators are charged. If perpetrators are not charged and properly treated, they may commit many more sexual assaults which go undetected. There are various factors that may be attributed to negative police response, and it appears that current education and training for police pertaining to sexual assault is not adequate.
Improving education and training on sexual assault will require myth breaking about sexual assault and women. These educational programs should be created with the assistance of sexual assault support workers and delivered by them. Improved response to sexual assault will create better support to survivors, may encourage women to report more, and increase the likelihood of perpetrators being brought to justice.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank everyone who has assisted me in the research and development of this paper. Thank you to all the sexual assault support workers and survivors who have shared their experiences with me. You have enabled me to better understand the extent of injustices to survivors, and given me greater conviction and strengthened my passion in working for women and survivors.
I would also like to thank the police personnel who have provided me with information concerning police education and training. This information has allowed me to have a better understanding of why some women have negative experiences with police when reporting, and the good intentions behind many police officers.
The purpose of this research is to examine police education and training on sexual assault, and how this training, or lack thereof, may be reflected in whom respond to sexual assault. I will focus on the police education and training in an urban area in the province of Ontario (hereinafter known as “city”).
Throughout this paper, I will be referring to sexual assault in terms of a male perpetrator and a female “victim”, since women comprise the majority of the reported victims, and men the majority of reported perpetrators (METRAC, 2001). I will also address women who have been victims of sexual assault as “survivors”, however both terms may be used interchangeably (some references choose to use the word “victim”). Using the term “survivor” recognizes the struggles and strength of women recovering from sexual assault. Using this language also helps to empower women instead of using the term “victim” which is associated with weakness and passivity.
Women live in a world in which they are oppressed by patriarchy. Patriarchy is a social system where men essentially dominate all superior social roles and keep women in all levels of society subordinate and in exploited positions (Mandell, 1998). It is important to note that when I speak of “men” that all men to not necessarily agree with this system, and while most men may benefit from this system, they may not perpetuate it themselves. There are also other systems of oppression exist in our society such as the oppression of people of color through racism, and oppression through classism. Although, due to the scope of this paper, my focus will remain on the oppression of women by patriarchy, because this system affects all women regardless of class or race.
Radical feminist theory will be the primary theory base of this paper. Radical feminist theory focuses on the oppression of women by men, gendered exploitation, and challenges men's experience as being central to the human experience. Radical theory sheds light on the patriarchal structure of society, and how many men benefit from this system, and how they use this system to maintain control over women. The position of radical feminists on female sexuality is that men construct female sexuality to serve their needs and desires (Mandell, 1998). As a result of the power positions men possess in society (including control over media, control over the home, etc.), men have been able to mould women's sexuality according to their own wants and desires. Women are often taught that their sexuality revolves around pleasuring men, rather than pleasuring themselves. For example, it was not until recently that the law recognized that rape could occur within a marriage. The predominant belief has been that women should be sexually available and accessible for their husbands, regardless of their own sexual needs or desires. This theory can be used as a means of examining how sexual assault contributes to maintaining control over women, and how sexual assault further oppresses the female population.
