The Windsor-Essex Sexual Assault Crisis Centre is hoping recent controversy surrounding the use of the word "rape" raises some awareness about the real issue.
Windsor City Council voted 8-1 on Monday to have the city's integrity commissioner investigate comments made by a city councillor.
Ward 3 Councillor Rino Bortolin was quoted in the media last month as saying "there is no money for a $3,000 alley light where that person got beat up and raped last week."
Bortolin was expressing his frustration over city council's spending priorities but his comments raised some concerns about an apparent rape that didn't happen or wasn't reported to police.
Sexual Assault Crisis Centre Executive Director Lydia Fiorini says using the term in that reference builds into the myth that sexual assaults take place in dark alleys by a stranger when in reality, 60-80% of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim.
"Rape itself many times is really misused in our society and I think I understand his point in trying to bring attention to the issue around safety however, it creates a lot of panic when we hear about stranger assaults," she says.
But she applauds Councillor Bortolin for at least admitting it was a mistake to use that example.
"I think it is commendable of him to realize that you can't throw that word around lightly and it does have consequences and it does really stir up a lot of emotions and unnecessary fear."
Bortolin says he regrets the comment and will respect the process with the investigation by the integrity commissioner.
Integrity Commissioner Bruce Elman will look into the issue to see if there was a violation of council's code of conduct.