Globe and mail unfounded series
The Globe and Mail's "Unfounded" series is a groundbreaking investigative journalism project that exposed the widespread problem of untested rape kits in Canada. The series, which was published in 2018, found that thousands of sexual assault evidence kits (SEKs) had gone untested in police labs across the country, leaving victims without justice and perpetrators potentially still at large.
The series was the result of a year-long investigation by a team of journalists at The Globe and Mail, led by reporter Adrienne Tanner. The team obtained data from police services and forensic labs across Canada, as well as conducted interviews with victims, police officers, and other experts.
The investigation found that:
- Thousands of untested SEKs: The team found that between 2000 and 2018, police services in Canada had collected over 12,000 SEKs, but only about 6,000 had been tested. This meant that over 6,000 kits had gone untested, leaving victims without justice and perpetrators potentially still at large.
- Long wait times: The investigation found that victims of sexual assault often had to wait years or even decades for their kits to be tested, which can be a traumatic and frustrating experience.
- Lack of transparency: The team found that police services and forensic labs were often secretive about the status of untested kits, making it difficult for victims to get information about their cases.
- Limited resources: The investigation found that many police services and forensic labs lacked the resources and funding needed to test SEKs in a timely manner.
The "Unfounded" series sparked widespread outrage and calls for action across Canada. In response to the series, the federal government announced a $100-million investment to help police services and forensic labs test SEKs and improve their handling of sexual assault cases.
The series also led to changes in the way police services and forensic labs handle SEKs. Many police services have since committed to testing all SEKs within a certain timeframe, and some have implemented new protocols for handling sexual assault cases.
The "Unfounded" series is an example of the important work that investigative journalists can do in holding institutions accountable and shedding light on important social issues.