Sex Crimes Unit
Investigative Section-Sexual Assault Squad
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Sexual Assault?
A: Sexual assault is a legal term used in Canada to refer to any type of sexual contact that occurs without the voluntary consent of both parties. Kissing, touching and sexual intercourse are all examples of sexual assault if they occur without voluntary consent of both parties.
Q: How do I report an incident of Sexual Assault to the Toronto Police Service?
A: Members of the public may report an offence by calling the non-emergency number at 416-808-2222, or by attending any police station in Toronto.
Q: What will happen after I report the incident?
A: In most cases, a uniform police officer will take brief details concerning the offence to complete an initial report. Depending on the nature of the sexual assault, the officer may request the victim to attend the hospital to have a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit taken, for the purpose of the collection of forensic evidence. More information about this process is described on the Women’s College Hospital website.
A victim always has the choice as to whether or not they wish to partake in this procedure.
A victim’s choice not to undergo a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit will not result in a failure to have the case investigated. The uniform officer’s report will be assigned to an accredited Sexual Assault Investigator. The victim will then be asked to attend a police station to provide a formal statement.
Q: Who will investigate my case?
A: Assignment of Sexual Assault occurrences are conducted on a risk-based assessment. The Sex Crimes Unit is responsible for investigating matters in which there is deemed to be a high-risk to the community. These occurrences often require extensive investigation and resources which are not readily available to the local division. Generally, cases in which the offender is a family member, or is known to the victim, are assigned to investigators from the division, as identifying the offender is often not problematic. All sexual assault occurrences are assigned to those who are qualified in the area of sexual assault investigation. These officers have the training, desire, and dedication to investigate these difficult cases to their fullest.
Q: Do I have the choice to press charges or not?
A: It depends. The officer assigned to the case will make the determination as to whether charges can be laid or not. If a victim does not wish to press charges, no charges will be laid.
Q: Will I have to testify in court?
A: Again it depends on the court process. If an accused person chooses to plead not guilty and have a trial, then the victim will most likely be asked to testify.
Q: How long does the court process take?
A: It could take anywhere between a couple of months to a couple of years of the offender being charged, again, depending on the court process.
Q: What if the offender is not caught?
A: Unsolved Sexual Assault cases are never closed. After an extensive investigation, the case is re-assigned to the Investigative Support Section of the Sex Crimes Unit, who look into cold cases.
Q: What are “date rape” drugs?
A: Date rape drugs are drugs that can be slipped into someone’s drink, a sexual assault can take place without the victim being able to remember what happened.
Rohyponol (“roofies, roopies, circles, the forget pills”) works like a tranquilizer. It causes muscle weakness, fatigue, slurred speech, loss of motor coordination and judgment, and amnesia that lasts up to 24 hours. They look like an aspirin – small, white, and round and are colourless and flavourless. When dissolved in liquids, they can take effect in as little as 20 minutes.
GHB (also known as “liquid X, salt water or scoop”) also causes quick sedation. Its side effects include drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, coma, and death. The drugs most common form is a clear liquid, although it can also be a white, grainy powder.
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