Third Party Reporting

Have you been sexually assaulted? Are you reluctant to go to police?

If so, you may be interested in Third Party Reporting — a simple and anonymous way to report the assault.

Sexual assault survivors hesitate to file a police report for many different reasons. The decision to report can be difficult, especially if the survivor knows the person who committed the assault or can’t remember what happened.

What is Third Party Reporting?

Third Party Reporting is a simple and anonymous way for adult sexual survivors to report sexual assault and provide information to the police.
The entire report is done through a third party. On Salt Spring and the Southern Gulf Islands, our Sexual Assault Response Program is this third party who will receive your information and provide the report to police.
We’ll give the police only the information you provided. Your name will be kept confidential.
Once police receive the report, they’ll assign a file number to it and give us the number to pass on to you.
They’ll enter the information about the assault that you provided into their internal database.
The police may ask us to get more information from you or to have contact with you. We’ll reach out to you to see if you’d like to or not, but it’s your decision.

Benefits of Third Party Reporting?

Survivors gain access to supports and referrals that assist with safety, health needs, and healing from trauma.
You can disclose in a way that is safe and supportive and share your story without fear of being judged, believed, arrested, or deported.
We are here to explore your options in a safe space, free from judgement.
You'll have the opportunity to ask questions that inform your decisions and to make choices that work for you.
You don’t have to do this alone.

After Third Party Reporting

Once police receive the report, they’ll assign a file number to it and give us the number to pass on to you.
They’ll enter the information about the assault that you provided into their internal database.
The name of the perpetrator will also be added so that they can track repeat offenders and patterns of behaviour among people who commit sexual assault.
The police may ask us to get more information from you or to have contact with you, but it's your decision.*

*Note: In some serious circumstances, police must intervene, such as when there’s a risk of significant harm to the health or safety of the public or a person OR when a child needs protection.

When can Third Party Reporting not be used?

Third Party Reporting cannot be used where sexual violence has been present in a relationship or domestic partnership.
It cannot be used if the person who committed the crime was a police officer.
It is rarely used for people under the ages of 19. For more information on youth support, reach out to our Sexual Assault Response Program.
It cannot be used if you or the public is at risk of imminent harm or if a child is in need of protection.

Sexual assault is one of the most under-reported crimes. As such, when violent sexual predators are operating in or across certain areas, police often have little or no information to aid them in protecting citizens.

Third Party Reporting increases leads on sexual predators and repeat offenders, while empowering survivors of sexual violence with an additional reporting option.

If you need support, please reach out to our Sexual Assault Response Program (SARP).

Call our SARP helpline or email. SARP offers practical and emotional support, information, referrals, safety planning, court support and assistance with the criminal justice system, coping skills, and practices of self-care. SARP offers an empowering, supportive, and safe space to talk about your experiences of violence and sexual assault.

We support survivors of recent and historic sexual assault from a compassionate and client-centred perspective.

Get the Support You Need

This service is free and confidential

Local Sexual Assault Response helpline (250) 931.7712
Toll-free Sexual Assault Response helpline 1.833.946.1706