One of the most common crimes civilian police oversight agencies investigate is sexual assault committed by police officers \u2014 a \u201cprofoundly disturbing, largely hidden problem in Canada,\u201d says Danielle McNabb.<\/p>\n
Although agencies such as Ontario\u2019s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are empowered to be arm\u2019s-length investigators, police sexual assault cases tend to be dropped, rarely result in criminal charges if examined and rarely result in convictions, according to the Brock University Assistant Professor of Political Science.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to get a better understanding of why the rate of criminal charges is so low,\u201d she says. \u201cWhat are the barriers civilian police oversight agencies face? Do agencies in different provinces face distinct challenges?\u201d<\/p>\n
McNabb and her team aim to answer these and other questions with funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).<\/p>\n
In this latest round of funding, announced Wednesday, July 9<\/a> by Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions M\u00e9lanie Joly, Brock University was awarded $7 million for faculty-led research projects.<\/p>\n Included in the announcement is a $2.5 million Partnership Grant for a project, \u201cBuilding a Pan-Canadian Community of Practice: The Creating Opportunities through Physical Literacy for All Newcomer Children and Youth (CO-PLAY) Network,\u201d led by Associate Professor of Child and Youth Studies Matthew Kwan.<\/p>\n Kwan, who is also the Canada Research Chair in Youth Mental Health and Performance, and his team are creating a national community that will engage newcomer children and youth in physical activities so they can develop greater physical literacy.<\/p>\n SSHRC also awarded Brock University faculty researchers 14 Insight Grants and 10 Insight Development Grants.<\/p>\n \u201cBrock University\u2019s results are particularly robust this year with our highest number of successful SSHRC Insight Grants in a single competition,\u201d says Acting Vice-President, Research Michelle McGinn. \u201cThis positive outcome recognizes the relevance and strength of our research in addressing societal challenges and improving lives.\u201d<\/p>\n In their five-year project, McNabb and Kate Puddister, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Guelph, are focusing on civilian oversight agencies across Canada.<\/p>\n They plan to examine closed directors\u2019 reports, interviews, surveys and policies related to police sexual violence to compare how various agencies respond to complaints of police sexual violence and carry out their investigations.<\/p>\n \u201cOur research aims to establish best practices for investigating police sexual violence, such as ensuring that complainants are treated in the most respectful, trauma-informed way possible,\u201d says McNabb.<\/p>\n Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, says McNabb and Kwan\u2019s projects are examples of how Brock University is making a difference locally and nationally.<\/p>\n \u201cThe various projects receiving support from the Insight Program speak to the talent of the Brock University research community,\u201d he says. \u201cThese projects will make significant inroads in children\u2019s health and well-being and the other areas included in this impressive list.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to the SSHRC faculty grants, Joly announced more than $2.4 million in Canadian Graduate Scholarships and Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships for 36 Brock students and postdoctoral scholars.<\/p>\n Lead recipients of SSHRC\u2019s latest round of Insight Grants are:<\/p>\n Lead recipients of SSHRC\u2019s latest round of Insight Development Grants are:<\/p>\n The federal government\u2019s Insight Grants<\/a> program supports research excellence judged worthy of funding by fellow researchers and\/or other experts. The research can be conducted individually or by teams.<\/p>\n\n
\n