A help line for jurors to receive counselling
Aid will now be offered to those traumatized by grisly trial details
Former jurors who have been traumatized by graphic court evidence now have a toll-free number to call for help, Ontario’s Attorney General Yasir Naqvi told an audience in Hamilton.
Speaking Tuesday at the John Sopinka courthouse — where the horrific trial into the murder of Tim Bosma last year was recalled as a particularly difficult experience for jurors — Naqvi said people who have finished their jury service can call 1-844-JUROR-ON (1-844-587-6766) and ask to be put in touch with counselling assistance.
Jurors can have up to eight confidential free sessions either in person, over the phone, by email or video conference.
“Hamilton has seen some difficult cases going through,” said Naqvi.
“The Bosma trial is a very good example so we felt it was appropriate to come to Hamilton to talk about this.”
He said the goal of the new Juror Support Program is to “help as many people as possible regardless of how much time as passed” and to look for other ways to assist in the future.
On hand at the news conference was former juror Mark Farrant, who had previously gone public about post-traumatic stress disorder he suffers after serving as a juror on a horrific four-month murder trial in 2014 in Toronto.
“I’m proud of the role I played in delivering justice (as a jury member) ... but it did take a toll on me and it did take a toll on my family still to this day,” Farrant said.
Naqvi said he came to know of Farrant’s plight through media reports and felt the government should do something.
He says it’s not clear how widespread the problem is but he believes the program will heighten awareness and bring more cases to light.
Farrant said since going public with his PTSD: “I’ve been contacted by jurors from every province except one and they all have different and unique stories about their experiences. And some of them, if you can imagine, are very tragic.”
Before the government program, former jurors needing assistance could seek a judge’s order to have their counselling paid for by the province.
That still stands while a trial is continuing.
Jurors feeling they need help to get through a trial can ask the judge in the courtroom. Once the trial is complete, no matter how long afterward, former jurors can use the toll-free number.
Farrant said he “went through quite a journey to find a counsellor who was equipped to deal with PTSD. The system wasn’t in place to look after me. I had to find my own means through a lot of phone calls and a long period of time to find a clinician who could take me on.
“I’m extremely grateful this program is in place. I hope it is a springboard to encourage provinces across the country to look at their own programs ... so no juror is looking over their provincial fence and wondering why there aren’t supports in that province,” he said.
Naqvi said the program for the time being will be financed out of his ministry’s existing budget.