Sexual assault myths perpetuated during trial

RE: BENEFACTOR’S NAME VANISHES FROM THE PAC, JAN. 4

In the recent court case involving wealthy, well-known Niagara businessman Jeffrey Cairns, the usual sexual assault myths involving perpetrators and victims continued to play out.

Cairns’ lawyer Jonathan Shime suggested to the jury that it didn’t make sense for someone with a wife and family and “all the money he needs” to risk it all by molesting a teenaged boy.

In fact, typical sex offenders are often considered respectable, upstanding members of society.

Like Cairns, they have access to children and youths as they have gained the trust of their parents. Rarely are sexual assaults committed by strangers.

Shime questioned the credibility of the young men who testified about being victimized by Cairns because they could not remember specific dates and they didn’t come forward right away.

These circumstances are common with victims of sexual violence.

We work with many clients at the Niagara Sexual Assault Centre who have never reported to the police or even disclosed to their families. A new sexual assault myth surfaced in the Cairns case.

His lawyer told the court that in today’s climate, apparently in reference to the #MeToo movement, that it has become easy to have someone charged.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Sexual assault is the most under-reported crime against a person in Canada. It is difficult to prove as there are generally no witnesses and victims often feel that what happened is their fault.

If they do go to court, their character and credibility are attacked on the witness stand under cross-examination.

On a positive note, Statistics Canada just released a report that there were more police-reported sexual assaults in 2017 than in any year since 1998. That coincided with the beginning of the #MeToo movement.

With the heightened awareness about sexual violence through this platform and high-profile cases like Cairns in the media, I hope there will be less victim-blaming and more perpetrators will be held accountable for the trauma they cause.

And kudos to St. Catharines city council for approving the removal of Cairns’ name from the recital hall at the performing arts centre so quickly.

Cheri Huys

Volunteer co-ordinator

Niagara Sexual Assault Centre