Sexual Assault: Significant Milestones

1972

BC enacts a victim compensation program (now Crime Victim Assistance Program)

1974

The first rape crisis centres open in Vancouver

1976

The Canadian Criminal Code is amended to limit questions about a complainant’s past sexual history

1983

“Sexual assault” replaces the crime of “rape” in the Canadian Criminal Code expanding the definition to include violence beyond vaginal penetration only

1983

Sexual assault of a spouse becomes a crime in Canada

1987

The BC Victim Assistance Program is formed and funded. Existing programs are consolidated into this new program.

1989

New federal legislation permits the levying of victim surcharge fines and allows Victim Impact Statements to presented at the time of sentencing.

1990

The budget for the Secretary of State Women’s Program (which provided funding to many grass roots feminist organizations including rape crisis centres) is reduced by 30%.

1991

The Supreme Court of Canada amends the Rape Shield Law that had limited questioning of a complainant’s sexual history during trial. The changes allow sexual history to be included in some circumstances.

1994

The first Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program in BC starts at Surrey Memorial Hospital.

1995

The Supreme Court of Canada rules that the medical and counselling records of a complainant in a sexual assault case, must meet a two-part test. The defendant must establish that the records contain information relevant to their defense. Judges must balance the right to a fair defense, and the right to privacy.

1996

BC passes the Victims of Crime Act

1999

Statistics Canada General Social Survey reports that only 12% of sexual assaults in Canada are reported to police.

1999

Bill C-79 introduces amendments to the Criminal Code that strengthens the voice of victims.

2000

The High Risk Offender Community Notification Advisory Program is established to assist justice agencies to determine whether an offender’s presence in the community merits restrictions on his behaviour or public notification.

2001

The Community Coordination for Women’s Safety Program is started by a partnership between the BCASVACP (now the Ending Violence Association of BC) and Victim Services Division.

2001

The newly elected BC Liberal Government eliminates the Ministry of Women’s Equality.

2002

Funding for BC’s rape crisis and women’s centre is cut. Most close their doors between 2002 and 2004.

2002

BC’s Crown Victim/Witness Services are eliminated

2002

BC Legal Aid funding is cut by 38.8%. The cuts disproportionately impact womens’ access to justice after an assault.

2002

New Crime Victim Assistance legislation comes into effect in BC; the program no longer compensates for pain and suffering.

2002

Police execute a search warrant for illegal weapons on a property owned by Robert William Pickton and his siblings. The search leads to a break in the BC Missing Women Investigation. Robert William Pickton is charged with 15 counts of 1st degree murder

2004

Statistics Canada General Social Survey reports that only 8% of sexual assaults in Canada are reported to police. Stats Can recognizes sexual assaults as the most under-reported offence to police.

2005

12 more charges are laid again Robert Pickton bringing the total number of 1st degree murder charges to 27. It is the largest investigation of a serial killer in Canada.

2006

Justice Williams rejects one count against Robert Pickton and splits the remaining charges into two groups. The first group of six counts proceeds to trial.

2007

Jury finds Robert Pickton guilty of 6 counts of 2nd degree murder. Pickton is sentenced to maximum sentence – life without the possibility of parole for 25 years

2008

Tyrone Burton (Ontario) becomes the first person convicted of human trafficking in Canada. Burton is a repeat sex offender. Crown seeks dangerous offender designation.

2008

Crown prosecutors announce they have stayed the remaining 20 murder charges against Pickton.

2009

Statistics Canada General Social Survey reports 9 in 10 sexual assaults (885) are never reported to the police

2010

Criminal Code is amended to include a five-year mandatory minimum sentence crimes involving the trafficking children.

2010

Surrey Women’s Centre pilots a 24-hour sexual assault team to increase supports for women before, during and after the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

2010

Vancouver Police Department releases Missing Women: Investigation Review. Deputy Chief Constable Doug LePard apologizes to the victims’ families

2010

The Missing Women’s Commission of Inquiry is formed. Retired judge Wally Oppal examines the role of the Vancouver police and RCMP in the disappearances and murders of women in the Downtown Eastside.

2012

Criminal Code amended to enable prosecution of Canadians who traffic humans outside of Canada.

2012

Surrey Women's Centre and Fraser Health launch SMART - BC's first regional 24-hour mobile assault response team.

2012

The Missing Women’s Commission of Inquiry releases its final report.

2013

The Ministry of Justice releases BC's Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking focusing on preventing and addressing the trafficking of youth for sexual exploitation; vulnerable workers; and the domestic trafficking of Aboriginal youth and women.

2014

Statistics Canada General Social Survey reports that only 5% of sexual assaults in Canada are reported to police.

2015

Reza Moazami becomes the first person convicted of human trafficking in BC. Moazami had forced teens as young as 14 to work for him out of hotels in Vancouver, Richmond and North Vancouver. He is sentenced to 23 years in prison.

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