Kate Puddister

(she/her)

4

Articles

1

Comment
Members of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) at the scene of a homicide investigation in Hamilton, Ont., May 2023. The unit is charged with investigating potential misconduct by Ontario police officers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

Does the Ontario Special Investigations Unit need a broader mandate to improve police oversight?

Kate Puddister, University of Guelph and Danielle McNabb, Brock University

The SIU plays a vital role in providing oversight of Ontario police officers. But how effective is the agency in practice?
Few cases of sexual assault by police are investigated by Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit, and fewer result in a conviction. (Shutterstock)

Convictions remain rare when police are accused of sexual assault

Danielle McNabb, Queen's University, Ontario and Kate Puddister, University of Guelph

Sexual violence by police is more common than many might think. Failing to fully investigate can have a chilling effect on what is already the most underreported violent crime in Canada.
A judge’s decision to acquit a Halifax taxi driver charged with sexual assault was protested at this rally in Halifax in March 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

#MeToo: In Canada, rape myths continue to prevent justice for sexual assault survivors

Kate Puddister, University of Guelph and Danielle McNabb, University of Guelph

A new Canadian law introduced as a nod to #MeToo, meant to protect sexual assault complainants, will have limited impact because it fails to consider how sexist judges and lawyers interpret laws.

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