Summary of cross-regional intersectoral discussions on third party reporting

Third party reporting can be an option for survivors to report the details of a sexual assault to the police anonymously. [...] The report is made to a program such as a Community-Based Victim Assistance Program, referred to as a “third party.” This third party passes on information about the report to the police without identifying the survivor. [...] For example, if other victims come forward with similar reports that suggest a repeat offender, the police may ask the agency to find out whether the victim who made the third party report might be willing to make a formal report that could be used in the police investigation. [...] Members of the RCMP have worked closely with PGSAC to develop and promote the third party reporting process, and PGSAC provides training to other community agencies who wish to file third party reports or who simply want more information about the process. [...] Not only do the reports provide information to the police, but police can then (as they do in Vancouver) pass this information back to agencies and warn them and their clients to be on the lookout for certain offenders (if the offender has been charged, police can publish his name; if not, they can provide a description of him or of his vehicle and sometimes a drawing).