Remarks by Ombudsperson on National Report on Survivors of Sexual Violence in Press Conference

Good morning.

Before we begin, I want to acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people. I also want to honour the many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis whose lands we visited during this investigation.

I want to acknowledge the courage of survivors whose voices are at the heart of this report. We believe you. What happened matters, and it’s not your fault. Please take care of yourselves and reach out for support if you need it.

Why We Are Here
Sexual violence remains one of the most underreported crimes in Canada. Despite decades of reform, only 6% of sexual assaults are reported to police. Too many survivors told us that when they came forward, they were disbelieved, retraumatized, and further harmed. Too many described their experience with the criminal justice system as more harmful than the sexual assault.

Today, the Office of the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime is releasing Rethinking Justice for Survivors of Sexual Violence: A Systemic Investigation.

What We Heard
Over 18 months, through interviews, surveys, virtual round tables and site visits, we engaged with nearly 3,000 people across Canada—survivors, service providers, police, Crown attorneys, defence counsel, judges, and community leaders. We reviewed academic research and more than 750 court cases and 300 media articles.

The message was clear:

• Survivors are silenced by myths and stereotypes that persist in courtrooms and police stations.
• They are retraumatized by invasive cross-examinations and the threat of having their therapy records exposed.
• They feel abandoned when cases are stayed under R v. Jordan, leaving them without justice after years of waiting.

One survivor told us: “I don’t think there is anything worse for a victim than to have a trial stayed.”

The Human Cost
Behind every statistic is a person—a life interrupted, families and communities affected. Survivors described feeling like evidence, not human beings. 

And yet, despite these barriers, survivors do come forward—not for themselves, but to protect others. 97% of survivors who reported did so to prevent the perpetrator from harming someone else. That is an extraordinary act of courage.

Momentum Is Building
There has been progress. Across Canada, police services are adopting trauma-informed protocols. Courts are using testimonial aids more often and rejecting myths and stereotypes about sexual violence. Communities are creating culturally safe support. And independent sexual assault centres, who have been doing this work much longer than me, are continuing to offer survivors safety and hope.

What Needs to Change

We can better protect survivors while we respect the rights of the accused, lower costs, save time, and reduce charges being stayed or withdrawn.

Rethinking Justice contains 43 recommendations. Together they map out a practical, evidence-based roadmap for reform. We need to:

• End harmful practices like KGB cautions that treat survivors like suspects
• Protect therapeutic records so survivors never have to choose between mental health and justice.
• Amend the Criminal Code to ensure that delay applications under R v. Jordan consider the rights and safety of victims.
• Guarantee enforceable rights under the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, including access to independent legal advice and testimonial aids.
• Invest in culturally safe, trauma-informed services that meet the diverse needs of survivors.
• Expand restorative and transformative justice options, giving survivors real choices beyond the courtroom.

A Call to Action
This is not just a legal issue—it is a human rights issue. Survivors have Charter rights to life, liberty, and security of the person, and those rights must be respected.

We can do better. Responses to sexual violence test the fairness, compassion, and accountability of our institutions. Survivors deserve a system that protects their dignity, their safety, and takes responsibility for not causing more harm.

Today, I am calling on Parliament, on policymakers, and on every Canadian to join us in rethinking justice. Let’s build a system that doesn’t retraumatize survivors but restores trust. A system that is fair to everyone involved and looks a little more like justice to the people who’ve been harmed.

Because sexual violence has no place in our society.

This is not the first report on sexual violence and criminal justice. For decades, survivors and advocates have called for change. While there has been progress, many recommendations have gone unanswered. That history matters—but it doesn’t define our future.

Our Role as Ombudsperson
Our Ombud office has the authority to require a government response to our recommendations, explaining what action will be taken—or why action will not be taken. This promotes accountability to the public and transparency.

We have a lot of hope that, together, we can choose a good way forward. Change will require leadership, coordination and courage, but it is possible, and it is necessary.

I'm now prepared to answer questions.