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Dozens of demonstrators gathered at Court of King’s Bench in Regina on Wednesday afternoon to call for more accountability and less bias in the justice system when it comes to sexual assault cases.
“I believe survivors,” the crowd shouted on the steps of the courthouse, some holding signs.
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The Regina and Area Sexual Assault Centre (RSAC) organized the demonstration and has made multiple calls to action, including the proposed creation of a team of trained sexual assault prosecutors. The idea is to ensure all judiciary members who oversee a sexual assault trial have been educated on the laws of sexual assault and consent, and to ensure victims are treated in a trauma-informed manner.
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The RSAC is also calling for the establishment of an alternative process for those who seek closure and reparation outside of the criminal justice system.
“Our organization bears witness to the immense pain, betrayal and shock every time charges are stayed,” said executive director Lisa Miller during the rally. “Every time we see the ruling for an acquittal, it contains language that clearly shows bias.”
Miller said there is a “dismal” reporting rate for sexual assaults — between five and eight per cent nationally — and a 10-per-cent conviction rate on reported sexual assaults.
“We know there are many factors as to why people don’t report, but the majority of people surveyed say they have no faith in our justice system to respond,” she explained.
Outdated stereotypes often seep into the courtroom, added Miller. That includes notions of women being hysterical, not knowing their own bodies, misinterpreting things, reporting due to regret or overreacting.
“The judiciary hides behind this idea of independence, that they can’t be swayed by some ideological position, but it’s really impacted their accountability in (sexual assault cases),” Miller said.
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With police agencies across Saskatchewan and Canada undertaking professional development training to improve their response to sexual assault reports, Miller says courts should be quick to follow suit.
“It is time for our courtrooms to get on board,” she said. “Our courts are here to serve the interests of the public and to serve public safety and that’s not happening.”
Chantelle Priel, public education and outreach coordinator with RSAC, said sexual violence remains one of the most “pervasive yet unaddressed social problems.” She added that “despite its prevalence” the issue is often overlooked as a large contributing factor to social adversities and inequities.
“This is why we are calling for action, change and survivor-led justice responses,” said Priel, who added that paying attention to individual behaviours is also important while addressing policy and education at a provincial level.
“We all have an individual responsibility to unlearn and unpack behaviours that may have been implicitly ingrained into us.”
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