Criminal case, not a dispute

Mr. Veldhoven,

While I agree with your assertion that we are all to be presumed innocent (letter March 9), I take very strong issue with your recent missive on several counts.

Firstly, let’s refer to this event by its correct name. It is not a dispute. It’s a criminal case involving victims who have been traumatized due to the serious offences perpetrated against them: to wit, they have been sexually violated. The deliberate sanitization of this crime by referring to it as a dispute serves to minimize the suffering of the victims.

Secondly, your implication that no action should be taken against the accused until the courts render a decision is wrong and naïve. In cases such as this, the needs of the victims must be weighed against the rights of the accused. The protection of victims (and potential future victims) is paramount.

The “presumption of innocence” exists solely to put the onus on the government to prove the guilt of the accused, rather than have the accused prove his innocence. The purpose of this clause is not to convince us to suspend judgment and rational thought.

Thirdly, your assertion that the Westside Medical Clinic is guilty of “unprofessional conduct” is absurd. The clinic is overseen by the Nova Scotia Health Authority, and receives direction from them on all policy matters, making the NSHA the party responsible for the decisions that have adversely affected patients.

As well the NSHA must do so while contending with Nova Scotia’s doctor shortage, which is the reason patients need to make other arrangements: arrangements that are less than ideal, but not the fault of either the clinic or the NSHA. It does not follow that just because you are enduring hardship, that someone must be to blame. Sometimes life isn’t fair.

Understanding this wisdom prevents us from unfairly casting aspersions upon others. Life has dealt you an inconvenience; perhaps you could deal with it with grace, rather than blindly assigning blame.

Finally, I have a rebuke for the NSHA. Throughout, you have allowed your employees to bear the brunt of negative public opinion without one word of support, nor an attempt to set the record straight. You are guilty of a certain amount of bureaucratic bungling (not informing the patients of their removal from the clinic), yet have taken no responsibility for your part in this. Shame on you for your silence!

Jim Alexander

New Glasgow