A large group gathered on the steps of the Confederation Building today in support of victims of sexual assault, spurred by the mistrial of RNC officer Doug Snelgrove.
Under sunny skies, stories documenting the darkness of sexual assault were told, with a resounding call to action that change needs to happen in our justice system.
Organizer Shauna-Lynn WIlliams shared her own story as well as stories from anonymous victims. She detailed the continued pain felt by victims, amplified by a justice system that she contests is broken.
Heather Elliott, who has been protesting on the steps of the Supreme Court in St. John’s, said that the justice system “has a problem, and that problem is that we don’t trust them to do their jobs.”
Elliott called for three changes to be made: For a system to be put in place where police officers, judges and other officials have to prove they are absorbing what they learn in sensitivity training; for a court division to specifically deal with sexual assault to be established; and for victims to be believed.
At confederation building this afternoon where a rally in support of survivors of sexual assault will be held, spurred by the mistrial of former RNC officer Doug Snelgrove @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/IiyvqWopjH
— Richard Duggan (@RDugganVOCM) October 6, 2020
