A Survey of Survivors of Sexual Violence From Three Canadian Cities

Executive Summary

Child sexual abuse (CSA) and adult sexual assault (ASA) can have devastating effects on survivors. While these crimes occur across all demographics, females are the most common victims of these crimes, representing 70% of survivors of self-reported sexual assault in 2009 and 87% of survivors of police reported sexual assault in 2012.

The purpose of this study was to better understand the experiences of female survivors of child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault. This study asked survivors about their experiences of CSA and ASA, the psychological and emotional effects of their trauma, as well as the mechanisms they have adopted to cope with this trauma. In addition, survivors were asked about a number of elements related to the criminal justice system, including about how they learn about the criminal justice system and their confidence in the justice system, and sought suggestions on how the justice system can better meet the needs of survivors of sexual violence.

Methodology

This study involved 114 interviews with survivors of sexual violence in urban centres of three Canadian provinces. The Research and Statistics Division worked closely with three sexual assault centres in the three provinces in developing the interview tool. The interview tool, which was a 76-item survey, included both categorical and open-ended questions. The sexual assault centres were also involved in recruiting the participants. Interviews were conducted via telephone by trained contractors with experience interviewing vulnerable populations.

Findings

All of the participants in this study were female. The age of the participants ranged from 20 to 70 years old and 85% self-identified as Caucasian. More than half (58%) of the participants indicated that their annual income was less than $15,000.

Over half (52%, n=59) of the participants in this study experienced both CSA and ASA.

Over three-quarters of the participants (76%, n=87) stated that they experienced child sexual abuse, with 80% (n=70) of these individuals experiencing multiple incidents. In most of cases, the offender was known to survivor (87%, n=76), many having been abused by a family member or family friend. Less than one-third (30%, n=26) of those who experienced CSA reported the child sexual abuse to police or to another individual who reported the abuse. The most common reason provided by those who did report the abuse was because they felt as though they needed to take action. Those who did not report the abuse provided a number of reasons, including because they did not have family support or because they were afraid of the offender.

Three-quarters of the participants (75%, n=86) experienced adult sexual assault, with 54% (n=46) of these individuals experiencing multiple assaults. The offender was known to the survivor in 70% (n=60) of these cases and included intimate partners, friends and acquaintances. More than one-third (36%, n=32) reported the adult sexual assault to the police or had another person report the assault. Reasons for reporting included because the individual felt as though they needed to take action, because a family member, friend or counsellor recommended it, and because they wanted to address negative feelings. Reasons provided by those who did not report the assault included shame and embarrassment, lack of confidence in the criminal justice system and fear of the offender.

The participants described a number of different emotional and psychological effects of the trauma. The psychological harm experienced as a result of CSA was very similar to the harm experienced as a result of ASA. The participants also indicated that the effects were ongoing and long-term. The effects included depression, difficulties with trust and forming relationships, and anxiety, fear and stress.

The participants also described a number of different mechanisms for coping with the effects of the trauma, both positive and negative. Positive coping mechanisms included emotion-focused coping, engaging in activities that involved taking control of their lives and turning to natural and professional supports. Negative coping strategies included addictive behaviours, non-suicidal self-harm and attempting suicide.

In addition, the participants were asked a number of questions relating to the criminal justice system. The participants stated that they learned about the criminal justice system through many different sources and formats, include media, the police and sexual assault centres. The participants were also asked to rate their confidence in the police, the court process and the criminal justice system in general. While 53% of participants stated that they were not confident in the police, two-thirds stated that they were not confident in the court process and in the criminal justice system in general.

Finally, the participants were asked to provide suggestions for survivors of sexual violence on what they need to know about the criminal justice system. The participants provided a number of different suggestions, including that survivors should be informed about the criminal justice system, to know that assistance is available for survivors and that the criminal justice process can be lengthy. The participants indicated that the best way to share this information with survivors is through school programs and counsellors.

The participants also provided a number of suggestions on how the criminal justice system can better meet the needs of survivors of sexual violence. The suggestions reflected three overarching themes: making survivors feel safe and comfortable; providing survivors with information and education on sexual violence and on the criminal justice; and changing various aspects of the criminal justice system as a whole (e.g., providing more timely processing, balancing the treatment of the survivor and the offender).

Conclusion

The findings of this study provide important insight into the experiences and needs of female survivors of sexual violence. The survivors shared their experiences of CSA and ASA and revealed a number of findings that are consistent with previous research on survivors of sexual violence, including that many did not report their victimization to police. They also provided a number of reasons for their decisions to report and/or not report the sexual violence. In addition, they described a number of psychological and emotional after-effects, such as depression and anxiety, that are common among survivors of sexual violence, as well as a number of coping strategies which are common among victims of crime more generally. Finally, the survivors also described their experiences with the criminal justice system and provided a number of suggestions on how the criminal justice system can better meet the needs of survivors. By better understanding the experiences of survivors and by listening to their suggestions, victim service providers and the criminal justice system as a whole can be in a better position to support and assist survivors of sexual violence.