Abbotsford Police Department Establishes Sex Crimes Unit to Address Investigative Process Concerns

The Abbotsford Police Department (APD) has established a sex crimes unit (SCU) in response to concerns over the handling of sexual assault cases. The unit, launched in April 2025, consists of six detectives trained in trauma-informed interviewing and other areas. The SCU aims to provide victims with a higher level of care and compassion. Avery Scott, a victim of sexual assault in 2021, welcomed the new unit, stating it will ease the investigative process for other victims and prevent them from experiencing the trauma she endured.

Key Takeaways:

• The APD's sex crimes unit was established in April 2025 under provincial policing standards.
• The unit consists of six detectives trained in trauma-informed interviewing, interviewing children, cultural sensitivity, bias, and advanced sexual-offence investigations.
• Prior to the SCU's establishment, a "sexual assault investigations" policy was in place since 2023, emphasizing thorough and unbiased investigations, as well as victim support to minimize trauma re-traumatization.
• Avery Scott's case was mishandled, leaving her feeling re-victimized and unsupported during the investigation, which lasted from April to June 2021.
• Scott's attacker was arrested and charged in February 2022, but the charges were dropped in December 2022, with the Crown blaming Scott for not working closely enough with the police.
• The lead officer acknowledged that the charges were dropped, but continued the investigation, which was later criticized in a complaint filed by Scott with the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner.
• Recommendations made in April 2025 included case reviews and direction for officers investigating sexual offences, as well as ongoing mentorship and guidance for investigators.
• Scott hopes that the SCU will prevent other victims from experiencing the trauma she endured, stating it will hold investigators responsible for lacking support.

Statistics:

• 16 hours: the time Scott took to call the police after being assaulted.
• 90 minutes: the time it took for an officer to call Scott after she reported the incident.
• 36 text messages: Scott sent to the lead investigator in January 2022 without receiving a response.
• 17 phone messages: Scott sent to the sergeant in January 2022 without receiving a response.
• 2021: the year Scott was assaulted and the investigation began.
• February 2022: the month the perpetrator was arrested and charged.
• December 2022: the month the charges were dropped.

Sources:

• Abby Scott's personal account.
• Abbotsford News article.
• Abbotsford Police Department's "Sexual Assault Investigations" policy (2023).
• Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner complaint (April 2025).
• Abbotsford News copyright 2025.