RCMP Watchdog Finds Serious Deficiencies in N.S. Sexual-Assault Case Before Woman’s Killing
The watchdog made 79 recommendations after finding the RCMP relied on myths about sexual assault and missed warning signs before the killing.
- On Thursday, the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission released a report finding serious deficiencies in the RCMP's handling of Susan Butlin's sexual assault complaint, which preceded her murder by six weeks.
- In August 2017, Butlin reported her Bayhead, Nova Scotia, neighbor Ernie Ross "Junior" Duggan for sexual assault, but police dismissed the complaint as "unfounded" and ignored her subsequent reports of harassment and intimidation.
- The commission identified 72 findings showing officers relied on "discredited myths and stereotypes" about sexual assault and lacked sufficient understanding of consent law, failing to recognize the "escalating risks to Ms. Butlin."
- RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme supported 77 of the commission's 79 recommendations, including creating specialized sexual assault units, though the watchdog warned previous reform efforts have been insufficient.
- Systemic issues persist, with the Bible Hill detachment maintaining a 54 per cent unfounded rate for sexual assault claims, while less than 10 per cent of RCMP members had completed new training by October 2023.
13 Articles
13 Articles
The Record
St Catharines StandardBotched RCMP investigation in N.S. echoes experience of violence survivors: therapist
HALIFAX - A Halifax trauma therapist says a watchdog report on a botched Nova Scotia RCMP sexual assault investigation echoes what she hears from victims of gender-based violence.
N.S. woman who reported sex assault ‘was treated without respect’ by RCMP before her murder: report
A Nova Scotia woman who reported a sexual assault “was treated without respect or care” by the RCMP, according to a report by the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) for the RCMP.
RCMP watchdog says police mishandled every part of case involving woman later killed - Halifax
An independent watchdog says the RCMP mishandled every aspect of a case involving a Nova Scotia woman who had reported being sexually assaulted by a neighbour who later killed her.
The Toronto Star
RCMP watchdog says police mishandled every part of case involving woman later killed
HALIFAX - An independent watchdog says the RCMP mishandled every aspect of a case involving a Nova Scotia woman who had reported being sexually assaulted by a neighbour who later
RCMP watchdog says Mounties mishandled sex assault case of murdered N.S. woman
Nearly 10 years after a Nova Scotia woman was murdered by her neighbour after she reported that he sexually assaulted and harassed her, the RCMP’s national watchdog says the Mounties failed both in the original case, and making improvements to sexual assault investigations across Canada.
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