A Survey of Survivors of Sexual Violence in the Northwest Territories

Executive Summary

Child sexual abuse (CSA) and adult sexual assault (ASA) are among the most underreported crimes in Canada. What is known about these crimes is that the victims are most often female, representing 87% of police-reported sexual assaults in 2012. It is also known that Canada’s northern territories have the highest rates of violent crime and sexual assault in Canada. A large majority of the residents of the territories are Aboriginal and Aboriginal individuals in Canada, especially women, experience violence and sexual assault at an extremely high rate.

Because of the high levels of sexual assault and low frequency of reporting, it is important to understand the experiences and needs of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women in the North. The purpose of this study is to better understand the experiences of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal survivors of CSA and ASA in Canada’s northern territories in terms of reporting practices, coping strategies and experiences with the criminal justice system.

Methodology

This study involved interviews with 34 survivors of child sexual abuse and/or adult sexual assault from three communities in the Northwest Territories. The Research and Statistics Division worked closely with a sexual assault centre in the Northwest Territories to develop the interview tool, which was a 76-item survey that included both categorical and open-ended questions (please see Appendix A for a copy of the survey). The sexual assault centre recruited participants and a counsellor with the sexual assault centre conducted the interviews.

Findings

All but one participant in this study was female. The participants were between 17 and 57 years old and 88% self-identified as Aboriginal. More than two thirds of the participant had an annual income of less than $15,000.

Twenty participants stated that they experienced both child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault.

The majority (n=30) of the participants experienced child sexual abuse, with 24 of these individuals reporting that they experienced multiple incidents of abuse. Many of those who experienced sexual abuse as a child were abused by a relative or an individual in a non-biological father role (e.g., step-father). Only eight participants reported the child sexual abuse to the police or told another individual who reported the abuse. Most of those who did report the child sexual abuse said that they did so because they felt that they needed to take action or that they wanted to address negative feelings. Twenty participants stated that they did not report the abuse and many indicated that this was because they were ashamed or embarrassed, or because they did not know that they could report the abuse.

Twenty-four participants experienced adult sexual assault and many of these participants (n=14) experienced multiple incidents. The majority (n=22) of the participants said that they knew their offender, who included individuals such as intimate partners, acquaintances and relatives. As was the case with CSA, very few participants said that they reported adult sexual assault (n=10). Those who reported their assault provided similar reasons as those who reported CSA, as did those who did not report the adult sexual assault(s).

Almost all of the participants stated that they experienced emotional and/or psychological effects as a result of their victimization. Some of the emotional and psychological effects described included depression, anxiety and difficulties with trust. Many participants experienced multiple effects and many struggled with their trauma throughout their lives.

The participants were also asked to describe mechanisms that they use to cope with the effects of their trauma. The majority of the participants described using multiple approaches to coping, which were both positive and negative. Positive coping strategies included religion and spirituality, natural and professional supports, and volunteering and helping others. Negative coping strategies included addictive behaviours, self-harm and attempting suicide.

The participants were also asked several questions regarding the criminal justice system. Participants stated that they learned about the criminal justice system through a number of different sources and formats, including the media and the police. The participants were also asked about their confidence in various elements of the criminal justice system, including the police, the court and the criminal justice system in general. The majority of participants indicated that they were not confident in these elements of the criminal justice system.

Participants provided suggestions to other survivors of CSA and ASA about what they need to know about the criminal justice system. Many of the participants encouraged other survivors to report the abuse and to know that help is available, but to also be aware that it can be a lengthy and difficult process. The participants provided several ideas on how this information could be shared with survivors, with many suggesting that school programs and school counsellors can share this information with students.

Finally, the participants provided a number of suggestions on how the criminal justice system can better meet the needs of survivors. Three main themes emerged: survivors need more support; survivors need more help with navigating the criminal justice system; and survivors would like to see a balance in how survivors and accused are treated.

Conclusion

This study provides an overview of the experiences of survivors of sexual violence in one of Canada’s northern territories. Many of the survivors experienced both CSA and ASA throughout their lifetime. Consistent with previous research on sexual victimization, the study found that few reported their abuse and/or assault to the police. The survivors also described a number of psychological and emotional effects of their traumatic experiences, as well as several positive and negative coping strategies, which were also consistent with previous research findings. In addition, the survivors provided their perspectives on the criminal justice system and on how the criminal justice system can work to better meet the needs of survivors of sexual violence. It is hoped that the information in this report can be used by stakeholders in their work to better respond to the needs of survivors of sexual violence.