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Statistics Canada Releases New Data on Police-Reported Sexual Assault

Photo: Statistics Canada

Statistics Canada says last year, the rate of police-reported sexual assaults in Canada hit its highest level since 1996.

Statistics Canada says there has been a significant jump in the rate of police-reported sexual assaults across the country. 

The agency says last year, there were over 34,200 reports of sexual assault, which is 18 percent higher than in 2020. 

This is the highest rate of police-reported sexual assault since 1996. 

The agency notes sexual assaults account for one-third of an overal five percent increase in reports of violent crime. 

Homicides, criminal harassment, hate crimes and firearm offences also rose last year, while non-violent crime fell three percent. 

According to Statistics Canada, the number of sexual assault reported to police is likely to be significantly underestimated, despite increasing talk about issues around sexual violence. 

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