Sexual violence is unacceptable and you have the right to report such offences. A victim of sexual assault at any age is never responsible for their attacker’s behaviour.
If you are a victim, know that you are not alone. You will be supported when you decide to break the silence. At the SPVM, our priority is to ensure your safety and provide you with personalized support throughout the judicial process.
This section covers subjects that may be distressing. If you or a person in your circle of friends or family needs support, we encourage you to ask for help. Resources are available.
Sexual assault is a sexual gesture committed by a person towards another person, without the latter’s consent.
Other sexual offences exist such as indecent acts, voyeurism and exposure. These offences do not constitute sexual assault.
Sexual offences are crimes and you have the right to report them.
Learning about healthy sexuality and healthy relations is an important asset in preventing sexual offences. This learning can start in childhood.
Seek help if you are experiencing sexual violence or abuse.
Consent must be:
Consent is not valid if:
Source: Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales (DPCP)
The legal age of consent in Canada is 16.
BEFORE AGE 16
To protect minors, the Law stipulates that consent is only valid if the other partner is not in a position of authority* and the following age gaps are respected:
* Position of authority
Some exceptions may apply, in particular in cases where there is a relationship of trust, authority or dependence. For example, a situation involving a coach, teacher or employer.
If already done, don't worry: you will have access to care and services.
The victim is NEVER obliged to file a complaint. They have the choice to file a complaint or not. The experiences that they have lived, consequences of trauma and emotions that they feel may considerably influence their decision.
The victim can:
If the crime took place outside the island of Montréal, the report will be passed on to the police force for the territory concerned and an investigation will be launched.
A friend, family member or social worker may accompany the victim to meet the police, apart from when the facts surrounding the case are covered.
There is no time limit for filing a complaint. However, some time limits apply for submitting the case file to the court.
1 - Reporting the case to the police
Patrollers are responsible for taking the victim’s statement, making the victim safe and ensuring that they receive appropriate care. The patrollers will firstly complete an event report. They will then recommend that the victim goes to a designated centre to collect samples and receive medical and psychological help (forensic kit). The event report will then be passed on to the Section des agressions sexuelles.
2 - Police investigation
The Section des agressions sexuelles is responsible for the police investigation and collecting evidence. The investigator will become the resource person for the victim. The duration of the criminal investigation may vary. The investigation report will subsequently be submitted to the Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales (DPCP) for assessment by a prosecutor specialized in sexual crime.
3 - Request to institute court proceedings
A meeting between the victim, investigator and prosecutor will be held to explain the judicial process. The prosecutor will decide whether the evidence gathered is sufficient to prosecute the suspect or not. To facilitate the victim’s testimony before the court, the victim may be supported by CAVAC, which offers a witness program to help children and victims. Tools are also available to provide support to the victim in court proceedings: testifying from behind a screen or using a videolink; testifying with a support dog at your side.
Designated centres
These designated centres offer services to victims of sexual assault 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
1 888 933-9007 (Sexual Violence Helpline)
Forensic kits (0 to 5 days after the assault):
This kit helps to document the facts surrounding the sexual assault suffered and collect evidence (such as biological liquids). You should ideally go to the designated centre as soon as possible, even if you have not yet decided if you are going to report the sexual assault of which you were a victim to the police. The forensic kit will be kept for 14 days while you take your decision.
Medico-social kits (no time limit):
This second kit helps to document the facts surrounding the sexual assault suffered. It does not require any samples to be taken. You should nevertheless make an appointment before going to a designated centre (Sexual Violence Helpline 1 888 933-9007). Victims are supported by a multidisciplinary team. Medico-social intervention is offered to all victims of a recent sexual assault, regardless of whether or not they decide to report the sexual assault to the police.
National Sex Offender Registry
The National Sex Offender Registry is used to help police services prevent and investigate crimes of a sexual nature, while respecting the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Obligations on sexual offenders:
If your home address is located outside Montréal, contact Sûreté du Québec on 1-866 958-4636.
Resources