FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 1:35 pm
(Ottawa) –Sexual Violence is a crime that deeply impacts entire communities. We need everyone’s help to stop the cycle, so during Sexual Assault Awareness month, the Ottawa Police will focus on education, awareness and prevention.
“It is important for people to understand that sexual assault can happen to anyone: women, girls, boys, men and transgendered people of all ages, races and cultural backgrounds,” said S/Sgt. Angela McDade, head of the Ottawa Police Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Section.
Sexual Assault is most commonly committed by someone the victim knows. While stranger sexual assaults do occur, a person is more likely to be sexually assaulted by a partner, co-worker, acquaintance, person in authority or family member.
“We want victims to know that sexual assault is never their fault. It doesn’t matter what the circumstances are, a sexual assault is the fault of the person who commits the crime,” added Staff Sergeant McDade.
Members of our community need to understand what is sexual assault and what consent means. Sexual Assault is a crime under the Criminal Code of Canada. It is any assault of a sexual nature that violates a person’s sexual integrity. It includes unwanted touching, kissing, hugging, molestation or penetration. Groping is just as much a sexual assault as any other form of non consensual sexual activity and they are all crimes.
Quite simply, there are three things everyone should know about consent:
- Silence is not consent;
- A person who is unconscious/incapacitated cannot give consent; and
- Getting consent once doesn’t mean you have consent for future sexual activity.
“If you don’t have consent you have committed a sexual assault,” concluded S/Sgt. McDade. “You may be charged and if convicted will have a criminal record and become a sex offender registrant. Sexual assault is about power and control, it is a criminal act regardless of the relationship between the victim and the offender. It is never okay. I encourage people to listen, believe, respect and empower victims of sexual violence.”
Anyone who has experienced sexual violence is encouraged to contact police or community sexual assault resources for assistance.
You can also access our sexual assault survivor guide.
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