Sexual Assaults FAQ's

Information for Victims/Survivors of Sexual Assault

We understand this is a difficult time for you. Along with our community partners, we want to provide you with the best resources possible.

Dealing with the police and the justice system can be overwhelming so we want to provide you with information on where you can find assistance as you move forward. A number of the “processes” of the investigation are explained here but remember, you can always reach out to speak with the investigator involved in your case, or contact the London Police Service Crisis Intervention/Victim Support Unit at 519.661.5636 if you have any questions or need support.

Find our Information Guide for Survivors of Sexual Assault here.

New Speak Out App Pilot Project - February 24, 2023

Individuals who have experienced sexual assault or sexual violence may also report it anonymously through a new app called ‘Speak Out’.  

‘Speak Out’ allows advocates and the London Police Service to gain a better understanding of the sexual violence happening in our city.  ‘Speak Out’ is only currently available to citizens reporting incidents that took place in Barrie or London, Ontario. Created by the Barrie Police Service, it has been used in Barrie since 2021.

Please see our media release for full details.

WHAT IS A SEXUAL ASSAULT?

A sexual assault is any unwanted sexual touching. It can happen to someone once, more than once or even over many years. Responses vary from person to person and not everyone will experience the same reactions at the same intensity or length of time. It’s important to recognize that whatever your reaction is, it’s a normal human response to an overwhelmingly traumatic situation.

What does it mean to consent to sexual activity?

To consent to sexual activity means to agree freely. The law requires that a person take reasonable steps to find out whether the other person is consenting.

Is saying “no” the only way to show that I do not consent?

No. You can show by your words OR actions that you do not consent. Actions such as struggling and/or trying to leave show that you do not consent.

What if I agree to the sexual activity at first, and then I change my mind?

Once you show that you no longer agree to the sexual activity, there is no longer consent. In other words, you can take back your consent. Also, consenting to one kind of sexual activity does not mean you consent to any other sexual activity. You can say NO to anything at any time.

Can a person say that I consented if I was drunk or high on drugs?

No. If you are drinking or high on drugs and unable to make a decision, the law does not consider that you consented.

FAQ - Sexual Assault Investigations

What are my choices after a sexual assault occurs? You have the following options if you experience a sexual assault that doesn`t involve an assailant from a current or former intimate relationship:

• You can do nothing.
• You can choose to not report to police right away but still have evidence collected at hospital by having a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK) done; the kit can be held for up to six months, giving you the option to contact police at a later date.
• You can report it to police immediately and provide a statement but choose not to have a SAEK done; you may request police not charge the offender immediately.
• You can report it to police immediately and provide a statement and have a SAEK done.
• You can refuse the SAEK and still request police involvement.
• Even if a criminal investigation has been started, you may request to stop it at any time.

What if the sexual assault involved my former or current intimate partner?

Domestic violence is any use of physical force, actual or threatened, emotional/psychological abuse, or harassing behaviour in an intimate relationship.

Intimate relationships include opposite-sex and same-sex partners. These relationships vary in duration and legal formality, and include current and former dating, common-law, and married couples.

If it’s determined there are reasonable grounds to lay charges, police must proceed regardless of the victim’s wishes. In Ontario, police must proceed with charges related to domestic violence.

If I do call the police, what happens next?

A uniformed officer will be dispatched and will:

• Establish a safe and private environment, ensure medical assistance is available if required;
• Ask basic information about the incident including:
• An overview of what happened
• Where the incident took place
• The extent of any injuries
• The identity or description of the assailant
• The direction the assailant left, and by what means
• If known, where the assailant lives, or works
• If you have any preferences regarding how the investigation should proceed.

The information will be sent to the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Section. If further investigation is required, a detective will contact you.

Who will investigate my case?

Generally, your case will be assigned to a detective from the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Section who conducts the investigation as it moves forward. These detectives have specialized investigative training in this area.

In most cases, they will conduct an in-depth interview with you, provide you with updates throughout the investigation and ensure you are well supported through the court process. The interview can be conducted at police headquarters or at the Regional Sex Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Program (RSADVT) in a special interview room set up to help you feel more comfortable.

What is a SAEK?

A Sexual Assault Evidence Kit is a box that contains various supplies used to collect evidence from your body. This evidence can be helpful in the police investigation and potential prosecution of your assailant.

The evidence is collected by a specially trained sexual assault nurse at the RSADVT Program at St. Joseph’s Hospital. You will be told about all the samples that are required and can decide to stop at any time. 

COMMON REACTIONS

Each person reacts in a unique way to sexual violence, and there is no right or wrong way to cope or to feel.
Helpful things to do may include:

• Reach out for professional help through community sexual assault resource people, trained professional counsellors, employment assistance programs and/or your family doctor.
• Spend time with supportive family and friends.
• Try to avoid overuse of alcohol or drugs.
• Acknowledge your response to the situation and allow yourself to have difficult moments.
• Try to avoid self-defeating thoughts such as ‘I can’t manage’ or ‘nothing matters,’ etc.
• Say ‘stop’ to yourself if you find yourself putting yourself down / judging yourself.
• Resist making life-changing decisions.
• Give yourself time to heal.
• Try to maintain your regular routine.
• Try to eat healthy foods and exercise.
• Be aware that traumatic events can sometimes bring back memories of past traumatic events.
• Practice deep breathing.
• Don’t try to fight dreams or flashbacks; these are normal and usually become less intense and painful over time. If they don’t seem to be decreasing over time, you may need to seek assistance to find strategies to work through them.

Where to Find Help in London

Anova

If you have experienced sexual violence, including sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse or sexual harassment, at any time in your life, you are not alone. Anova is there to help.

To inquire about support services and arrange an intake, call 519.642.3003 ext. 5555, Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm or call the helpline, 24-hours a day, seven days a week at 519.642.3000.

Atlohsa Family Healing Services 

Atlohsa Family Healing Services provides community members with Indigenous-led
programming and services that offer holistic healing, education, shelter, and support.
If you have experienced any form abuse, sexual violence, or human trafficking they are
there to help. The 24-hour crisis line can be reached at 1-800-605-7477. If you would
like to be connected directly with supports for human trafficking you can call
519-318-0795 Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm. For general inquires or to be
connected to programs and services you can contact the head office at 519-438-0068
Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm.  

Carrefour des Femmes du Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario

 A regional Francophone women’s centre offering services to sexual assault survivors

 and all French-speaking women 16 years of age and older. During office hours, Monday to Friday, 9 am - 5 pm, call 519.858.0954 or for assistance 24-hours a day, seven-days a week call 1.877.336.2433.

London Abused Women’s Centre

Provides women and girls over the age of 12 who have been abused by an intimate partner, sexually assaulted, sexually harassed, prostituted, sexually exploited and/or sex trafficked with immediate access to long-term woman-centred, trauma-informed counselling, support and advocacy.

Women/girls may contact LAWC at 519-432-2204 to set up an appointment to see an Advocate/Counsellor. Skype and telephone appointments are available for those who reside outside of London/Middlesex.

Regional Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Program

Located at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Zone B, Level 0, Room B0-644, 268 Grosvenor Street. The closest entrance during the day is Wellington Entrance 3, top of ramp.

You can contact a nurse by calling 519.646.6100 ext. 64224 Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. After hours, call 519.646.6100, press “0” and ask for the nurse-on-call for sexual assault and domestic violence to be paged. 

Victim Services of Middlesex London

Victim Services of Middlesex-London (VSML) offers short term emotional support and practical assistance to victims and survivors of crime and/or tragic circumstance within London and Middlesex County. Services include on-scene crisis support at request of emergency services, safety planning, advocacy, counselling, referrals and access to the Victim Quick Response Plus Program (VQRP+) for qualified victims of violent crimes.

601 Dundas Street
London Ontario
N6B 1X1
P. 519-661-5636 

Visit our website for more information.

What About Financial Assistance?

Victim Quick Response Program Victim Support Line 1.888.579.2888

The Victim Quick Response Program provides short-term assistance to victims in the immediate aftermath of violent crime, including sexual assault. All applications will be reviewed to determine if the applicant meets all of the required eligibility for the program.

This program is one of last resort, meaning that the applicant lacks the personal resources to pay for specific services or that publicly funded counselling services have a waiting list of more than 20 days and the client has an urgent need for counselling. The maximum amount for counselling is $1,000.

The program may also assist with crime scene cleaning expenses, emergency accommodation, meals, personal care items, emergency child or dependent care, cell phones and emergency home safety expenses. There are strict eligibility guidelines.