Team Canada Junior: a reasonable verdict, but which strengthens the myth of the “perfect victim”, according to experts

Even if the acquittal of the five team players Canada Junior is a reasonable verdict, according to experts, it strengthens the myth of the “perfect victim” in the files of sexual assault before the courts.

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“Doesn’t that make us. For example, go back compared to everything we tried to accomplish to restore confidence in the justice system?” questions the law professor at UQAM Rachel Chagnon.

Just like other specialists in the matter. Meanwhile, she was “not surprised” from the verdict returned Thursday to the London courthouse because “the defense had been very effective in raising the irregularities in the testimony of the complainant”.

Judge Maria Carroccia acquitted five hockey players accused of having sexually assaulted a young woman in a hotel room. Similarly, in team canada junior: reasonable verdict, 2018 throughout the line.

In turn. the lawyers of the accused had counter-examine that which one can only name by the initials EM the exercise had lasted no less than seven days. However, the judge noted that this long counter-examination was “fully appropriate”.

Long counter-examination

According to criminal lawyer Philippe Cloutier, “we did not want to be more about the victim here. It is that all the accused are entitled to a defense. have the right to ask the questions they want. “

However, this is a “delicate exercise”, since “it is easy to voluntarily or involuntarily intimidate the victim,” said Mr.^e Simon Roy, professor of law at the University of Sherbrooke.

The apprehensions. fears in the face of a criminal trial, including the counter-examination and the allusions to the lies, are among the reasons most evoked by the victims who did not wish to denounce their aggressor, according to team canada junior: reasonable verdict, the teacher’s research in the Department of Psychoeducation and Psychology of the UQO Karine Baril.

Ton severe

Rachel Chagnon also found “the tone of the judge with regard to unnecessarily severe complainant”.

“We feel the judgment on the attitude of the victim, on his way of life,” she says. It does not send the message that has been trained in relation to accepting that the victim does not. have to be perfect. ”

“It has the effect of sending a message in public space blaming the victims of sexual assault that questions their credibility. ” continues M^me Guns.

According to spokesperson for victims of criminal acts (CAVAC) Marie-Christine Villeneuve. this verdict can “discourage people victims or shake their confidence in the judicial process”.

But she would like to recall that many advances have been made in the matter in Quebec. that “things change [et] improve ”.

“In Quebec, we may team canada junior: reasonable verdict, have greater sensitivity and benevolence towards the victims than in Ontario,” adds Mr.^me Chagnon, whose research specializes in violence against women.