The Windsor Police Service has launched an online tool to report sexual assaults.
They say it's important to call police if there is immediate danger or possible DNA evidence to collect but the online system can be used for the incidents that often go unreported.
Detective Ted Novak says the online tool allows victims to report a crime to police from home.
"A victim can at any time, and in their own words make a disclosure to police in the safety of their environment. This report will be forwarded to the major crimes office and assigned to an investigator with the appropriate training for follow up," says Novak.
He says this removes the step of having to call dispatch or talk to a patrol officer who has no specific training in sexual assault. Novak says the victim can also chose to remain anonymous or not have any further follow-up with an investigator. If the victim chooses to not follow up with an investigator, the report will be used for information purposes only.
"We can at least have a dialouge now. They may say, 'no I'm not ready, I don't want to' and that's where we can at least assist the victim. We can send them to services when they are ready," says Novak.
That level of anonymity is important for many victims, particularly in some of the marginalized communities in the city.
Jayce Carver, executive director with the Windsor Essex Trans-gender and allied supports group, says this online tool will be very helpful to the trans-gendered community.
"I too am a survivor of sexual assault earlier on in my transition and I didn't report it out of fear of being judged, or blaming myself and the fear of having to be out during the process of reporting," says Carver.
The roll-out of the online system was funded through a provincial grant of $150,000.
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