The Executive Director of the Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis Centre is disappointed, but resolved to continue supporting survivors of sexual violence after hearing 'not guilty' verdicts at the Hockey Canada sex assault trial in London.
Five hockey players accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a London hotel room in 2018 were each found not guilty on all counts on Thursday.
The judge overseeing the case told the court she did not find the evidence of the complainant, identified only as E.M., to be "either credible or reliable."
CKSACC Executive Director Linda Soulliere was at the courthouse when the verdicts were read out and said the people she was there with were saddened, but not surprised by the outcome.
"We were all expecting it to be the case, but when the reality of it set in, we were shocked and angry... it was very hard to listen to," said Soulliere. "I was so disappointed... we drove home in silence."
Soulliere said in her opinion, the 'not guilty' verdicts were not a just outcome and will have wider implications -- especially for some of the CKSACC's clients who are thinking of pressing charges.
"My initial reaction is worry for any woman who is thinking of coming forward," said Souilliere. "The treatment of E.M. on the stand was horrid."
A social media post from the CKSACC called the decision a "painful reminder that our legal system too often protects perpetrators instead of survivors," adding that E.M. showed "incredible courage" and "deserved to be believed and supported -- not dismissed or discredited."
Despite her disappointment with the outcome of the case, Soulliere said the CKSACC will continue to push for women to report sexual assault -- both for themselves and other victims.
"We have to persevere, we have to continue -- there won't be any changes in the legal or justice system unless women fight for what's right," said Soulliere. "We're still going to do our campaigns and awareness and accompany women to the courthouse -- we're here to support them and they can't just give up because of this particular outcome."
In addition to supporting victims of sexual assault and encouraging them to come forward, Soulliere is calling for the justice system to be reformed.
"Women have to be believed," said Soulliere. "We have to do more."