NDP MP Nathan Cullen is calling for a national inquiry into allegations of abuse by the RCMP. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

A northern B.C. NDP MP says a report describing allegations of abuse against aboriginal women by RCMP reinforces the need for a national public inquiry.

A report released Wednesday by Human Rights Watch details claims of police threats, torture and sexual assault.

The New York-based group conducted its research in Nathan Cullen’s Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding.

He says an inquiry is needed to investigate the allegations.

"Certainly getting to some of the more honest and brutal answers in this is how we get at it,” he said.

“We launched the Pickton inquiry because the systems failed. They failed so many missing and murdered women in the Downtown Eastside. I think a lot of people that went through that, as painful as it was, would say that this is a very important step to actually get out of this very, very nightmarish situation."

Cullen says MPs are voting Thursday on forming a parliamentary committee to examine the issue of violence against aboriginal women in Canada.

He says creating a committee is a start but an in-depth, full-scale national inquiry is needed to expose the root causes of violence.

"You can't ask the RCMP to fix massive social problems that we've been facing for generations,” he said. “They're ill-equipped to do that."