Aura Freedom’s Executive Director, Marissa Kokkoros, was featured on multiple CTV Ottawa coverage pieces following reports that Ottawa Police officers have been targeting women using their internal databases and messaging vulnerable victims of crime with the intent of developing intimate relationships. There have also been numerous reports of members making sexual comments directly to women in the service. We know that this is not a new issue, nor one isolated to the Ottawa police force.
Appearing on both CTV News Ottawa and CTV Your Morning Ottawa, Marissa provided expert commentary on the broader implications of institutional misconduct and culture within police systems, the need for true accountability of those who exploit positions of power, and the responsibility of systems entrusted to protect public safety to uphold that trust.
During both interviews, Marissa emphasized that incidents of sexual misconduct and gender-based violence by police officers are not isolated events, but reflect broader systemic issues that require more than reactive responses. She called for greater investment in prevention, stronger accountability mechanisms, and institutional reforms that prioritize women’s safety while addressing the root causes of harm.
The conversations also highlighted the impact that institutional responses have on survivors’ willingness to seek support and engage with public systems, recognizing that historically, institutional responses too often fail to prevent harm or ensure meaningful accountability. Building safer communities requires not only responding appropriately when harm occurs, but also creating cultures of safety, accountability, and prevention that address the systemic inequities embedded within policing systems.
Watch the CTV Ottawa Segment and the interview with CTV Your Morning Ottawa.