NWAC is guardedly optimistic that investigation of the justice system’s treatment of sexual assaults will lead to better outcomes for survivors

GATINEAU, Que – A statement by Carol McBride, the President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), following the announcement of a systemic investigation into the experiences of sexual assault survivors in Canada.

“It is with guarded optimism that the Native Women’s Association of Canada learned the federal government is launching a systemic investigation of the experiences of sexual assault survivors within the Canadian justice system. We hope this will lead to widespread improvements to a system that too often fails those whose lives have been upended by these crimes.

Statistics Canada tells us that four out of every 10 Indigenous people in this country are physically or sexually assaulted before they reach the age of 15, and that nearly two thirds of us are physically or sexually assaulted as adults.

We also know that many reports of sexual assault lodged by Indigenous people are ignored by police, or are quickly dropped for lack of evidence without a thorough investigation.

Too often, Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender and gender-diverse people who have been sexually assaulted are treated like criminals themselves. And, even when charges are filed against their assailants, the Indigenous victims must navigate a justice system in which they are forced to relive their trauma, or are treated as expendable.

We will watch with interest as this investigation progresses, and are eager to share NWAC’s extensive knowledge about the experiences of Indigenous victims of sexual assault.”

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