Anger over acquittal seen as sign of change
Halifax sexual-assault case verdict sparked public outrage that would not have been registered 10 years ago, politicians told
HALIFAX — The public outcry surrounding the acquittal of a Halifax cab driver accused of sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman is proof that education about sexual violence is having an effect, a Nova Scotia legislature committee was told this week.
Sarah Kay Granke, a coordinator of the province’s sexualassault strategy, said the response and protests sparked by the court decision show society is changing.
“The response and the outcry and the outrage we have seen, to me, is an indication of some societal change because 10 or 15 years ago that would not have happened in the same kind of way,” Granke said.
Witnesses testifying on the province’s sexual-assault strategy Tuesday were asked to address the “elephant in the room” by Progressive Conservative committee member Alfie MacLeod.
Stephanie MacInnis-Langley, of the Nova Scotia Council on the Status of Women, said the Halifax case and others from across Canada have led to a public discussion that is helpful in dealing with sexual violence issues.
“I have to say that, in 2017, we’re in a better place than we were in 2015 and 2016 because the discussions are on the table and they are at a national table,” MacInnis-Langley said. “We have a prime minister, in fact, who has stood on the national stage and spoke to the issue of sexual violence.”
She said public shows of support such as the protest organized in front of Halifax City Hall on Tuesday are important for people dealing with sexual assault because they are often disappointed with the outcome of their court cases.
MacInnis-Langley said the criminal code doesn’t clearly define consent, leaving it open to legal interpretation — and she hopes increased public pressure will lead to clarification from Supreme Court of Canada. “It’s a very murky area and it needs continual discussion,” she said.
MacInnis-Langley said she was worried court rulings could act as a deterrent to people reporting sexual assaults. “The more we offer supports to victims of sexual violence, they will feel safe in coming forward,” she said.
The committee was told that sexual assault is significantly under-reported in Nova Scotia, as elsewhere. It was told there were 591 sexual assaults reported to police in 2014, higher than the national average.
The Crown said Tuesday it is appealing the acquittal of Halifax cab driver Bassam Al-Rawi, who was accused of sexually assaulting a woman who was found intoxicated, unconscious and partially naked in his car.
Denise Smith, deputy director of the province’s public prosecution service, said Judge Gregory Lenehan made several legal mistakes when he found the 40-yearold not guilty last week.
The ruling has prompted debate over how the courts handle sensitive cases. On Monday, however, the Nova Scotia Criminal Lawyers Association said criticism of Lenehan’s “partiality, competence, and his qualifications is unfounded and undermines the discussion that is needed to address the prevention of sexual assault.”