A feminist activist and author is furious at the decision to grant convicted sex offender Doug Snelgrove bail.

In 2014, RNC Constable Doug Snelgrove picked up an intoxicated young woman, drove her home in his cruiser and sexually assaulted her in her residence while he was still on duty.

After six years and three different trials, he was found guilty in 2021 of sexual assault and sentenced to four years in jail. He appealed that decision to the Supreme Court of Canada. Snelgrove was granted bail while he awaits a decision on whether the highest court in the land will hear the appeal.

Elisabeth de Mariaffi, who organized the 2017 Women’s March in St. John’s, says this case has a major impact. She says most of the victim’s adult life has been wrapped up in the case. She says it’s impossible to see this as anything other than the justice system continuing to prioritize men’s liberty over women’s safety.

She says not only has the Snelgrove case had a specific impact on the victim, but also a broader impact on women across the country. She says there were young teens who were first becoming aware of the news and studying media in high school when the case first started in 2014. She says these people are now in their mid-twenties, and their entire adolescence and coming-of-age has been watching this happen over and over.