SPEAK OUT

ANONYMOUS TOOL TO REPORT SEXUAL VIOLENCE
‘Speak Out’ 

LONDON, ON (February 24, 2023) – Members of the London Police Service (LPS) have launched a one year pilot project for a new online tool that allows individuals who have experienced sexual assault or sexual violence to report it anonymously through a new app called ‘Speak Out’.  

‘Speak Out’ allows advocates and the London Police Service to gain a better understanding of the sexual violence happening in our city.  ‘Speak Out’ is only currently available to citizens reporting incidents that took place in Barrie or London, Ontario. Created by the Barrie Police Service, it has been used in Barrie since 2021.

While individuals aren’t submitting an official police report, their information might assist investigators in ongoing, or future sexual assault investigations. The information from the reports will be sent to the London Police Service Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Section and Crime Analysis Unit to assist in identifying any trends or commonalities.

“Speak Out provides another avenue for a victim/survivor to report a sexual assault. We know that sexual assaults often go unreported, and some victims/survivors are not comfortable coming to police or reporting under their name”, says Detective Sergeant Katherine Dann, head of the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Section of the London Police Service. “This information will help the London Police Service gain a better understanding of the types of occurrences, the locations and the circumstances of sexual violence happening in London. The victim/survivor is never required to give their name and can always choose to make a formal report to police at a later time if they wish to do so.” 

This system can be used by anyone over the age of 18, wishing to report an incident that took place in London, Ontario.  Individuals filing a report will be provided with a reference code, in case they decide to file a formal report in the future.

For media inquiries, contact:

Cst. Sandasha Bough
Media Relations Officer
C. 519-854-8576
Email. Media Officer