THIRD PARTY REPORTING (TPR) OF SEXUAL ASSAULT INCIDENTS became available in some areas of Manitoba in 2018. TPR offers victims of sexual assault (16 years and older) the option of reporting the details of their case anonymously to the Winnipeg Police Service or RCMP through a community-based agency. This agency becomes the third party that holds identifying information about the victim. The third party agency provides the Third Party Report to the police, but does not share the victim’s identifying information.
WHAT IS THIRD PARTY REPORTING (TPR)?
TPR can be an option for victims who would otherwise not report a sexual assault to police or engage with the criminal justice system, altogether. For some people, TPR can facilitate post-sexual assault healing processes and remains a welcoming option to help victims feel empowered and in control of what happens next. The third party agency receiving the Third Party Report can also offer support and other types of assistance.
The TPR process provides police services with anonymous information about the crime carried-out and offender — this, without requiring the victim to make a formal report to the police. Police can use this information to track trends or patterns that could identify repeat offenders.
It is important to know that police cannot lay charges based on a Third Party Report. A TPR it is not a substitute for providing a formal statement to the Police.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A TPR IS MADE?
When police receive a Third Party Report, police will review the information provided. At any point, Police may contact the TPR and request to speak to the victim in respect of beginning an investigation. The agency that collected the report will contact the victim and request consent. If the victim agrees to be contacted, the agency can either share the victim’s contact information with the police, OR, the victim can contact the police themselves and speak to the assigned officer.
WHEN SHOULD A TPR NOT BE MADE
A victim’s identity cannot remain anonymous in some situations. When the incident involves the following factors, police have to become formally involved:
- current or past harm to a child (under 16-years of age);
- a 16 or 17-year-old, who has been sexually assaulted by a person in a position of trust or authority, is being exploited or is dependent on the offender;
- the offender is an intimate partner. Police are required to investigate incidents involving intimate partner violence. In these situations, police can obtain information regarding the victim’s identity.
HOW DOES SOMEONE MAKE A TPR?
In Manitoba, several agencies are able to receive third party reports on behalf of the Winnipeg Police Service or the RCMP.
If the incident took place in Winnipeg, you can provide a Third Party Report to one of the following agencies, who will refer your TRP to Winnipeg Police Service:
KLINIC COMMUNITY HEALTH:
To book an in-person appointment: 204-784-4049
To complete TPR over the phone: 204-786-8631
KA NI KANICHIHK – HEART MEDICINE LODGE PROGRAM:
204-953-5820
MOUNT CARMEL CLINIC – SAGE HOUSE: 204-943-6379
If the incident took place outside of Winnipeg, but with a jurisdiction the RCMP polices, the following agencies can receive a Third Party Report with delivery assurance to the RCMP:
KLINIC COMMUNITY HEALTH:
1-888-292-7565
KA NI KANICHIHK – HEART MEDICINE LODGE PROGRAM:
204-953-5820
SURVIVOR’S HOPE CRISIS CENTRE (NORTH-EASTERN MANITOBA):
1-204-753-5353
The above agencies will receive Third Party Reports from anyone in Manitoba. In some cases, the assault may have taken place in a jurisdiction policed by a service not currently participating in TPR. In these cases, the agency will store/archive the Third Party Report.
IT’S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT:
The questions asked throughout the TPR form are not meant to offend, criticize, or blame the victim for the incident. Questions are only asked to gather as much information as possible.
If the victim is under 18-years old, the person who received the report must call Child and Family Services to report what happened.
For victims who want to participate in TPR from a provincial jail, it’s important that they clarify with the institution whether contacting the third party agency they wish to provide a Third Party Report to is a “privileged” call. All non-priviliged calls are subject to recording.
ANONYMOUS: no identifying information (i.e. name, date of birth, address, phone number).
ANONYMOUSLY: without identifying information (i.e. name, date of birth, address, phone number).
EXPLOITED: occurs where a child is compelled by force, the threat of force, intimidation or the abuse of power or a position of trust, to engage in sexual conduct; or, there is an exchange of drugs/inhalants/ alcohol for sexual conduct.
JURISDICTION: a specific geographic area.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT RESOURCES IN MANITOBA, PLEASE VISIT:
https://www.manitoba.ca/ youarenotalone/index.html
https://www.manitoba.ca/justice/crown/ victims/sexualassault.html
https://www.manitoba.ca/justice/crown/ victims/pubs/helpafter.pdf
http://www.kanikanichihk.ca/programs/ heart-medicine-lodge/
https://www.winnipeg.ca/police/Units_ and_Divisions/sex_crimes.stm