Honestly, the judge’s reasoning and statements are pretty shocking. The Crown’s case clearly wasn’t as strong or prepared as it should have been, and losing the text messages was a major blow. But using a video that many have said showed coercion and survival mode, then judging her level of sobriety and consent from that, is really disturbing.
To go even further and say she was unreliable, lacked credibility, and fully consented feels incredibly wrong. This is exactly why so many people choose not to come forward after being sexually assaulted. The way this judgment was framed doesn’t feel like justice. It feels like a warning to other victims to stay silent.
I didn’t expect guilty verdicts based on how the trial played out, but spinning the outcome in a way that puts all the blame on EM is heartbreaking. It feels like a step backwards and I think it’s going to have a lasting impact on other survivors. I’m honestly so disappointed and sickened by how the judge explained their reasoning, especially when speaking about someone who believed they were a victim of sexual assault.
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