By Gazette Staff
July 10th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
One of the most common crimes civilian police oversight agencies investigate is sexual assault committed by police officers — a “profoundly disturbing, largely hidden problem in Canada,” says Danielle McNabb.
Although agencies such as Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are empowered to be arm’s-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.
“We’re trying to get a better understanding of why the rate of criminal charges is so low,” she says. “What are the barriers civilian police oversight agencies face? Do agencies in different provinces face distinct challenges?”
Danielle McNabb, Brock University
McNabb and her team aim to answer these and other questions with funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
In this latest round of funding, announced Wednesday, July 9 by Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions Mélanie Joly, Brock University was awarded $7 million for faculty-led research projects.
Included in the announcement is a $2.5 million Partnership Grant for a project, “Building a Pan- Canadian Community of Practice: The Creating Opportunities through Physical Literacy for All Newcomer Children and Youth (CO-PLAY) Network,” led by Associate Professor of Child and Youth Studies Matthew Kwan.
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.
SSHRC also awarded Brock University faculty researchers 14 Insight Grants and 10 Insight Development Grants.
“Brock University’s results are particularly robust this year with our highest number of successful SSHRC Insight Grants in a single competition,” says Acting Vice-President, Research Michelle McGinn. “This positive outcome recognizes the relevance and strength of our research in addressing societal challenges and improving lives.”
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.
They plan to examine closed directors’ 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.
“Our 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,” says McNabb.
Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, says McNabb and Kwan’s projects are examples of how Brock University is making a difference locally and nationally.
Danielle McNabb, on the left, gowned and ready to receive her Phd
“The various projects receiving support from the Insight Program speak to the talent of the Brock University research community,” he says. “These projects will make significant inroads in children’s health and well-being and the other areas included in this impressive list.”
A full list of Brock University’s SSHRC funding recipients announced Wednesday, July 9, is available online.
The federal government’s Insight Grants program supports research excellence judged worthy of funding by fellow researchers and/or other experts. The research can be conducted individually or by teams.
The Insight Development Grants program supports the development of new research questions, experimentation with new methods and theoretical approaches and ideas.
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