Sex-assault victim appeals conviction for breaking publication ban on her identity Bookmark Please log in to listen to this story. Also available in French and Mandarin. Log In Create Free Account
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Colin Perkel/The Canadian Press
Canada’s first victim of sexual assault to be prosecuted for violating the publication ban on her own name is appealing the conviction even though she pleaded guilty and agreed that her plea amounted to a confession.
The notice of appeal, filed on Wednesday in Ontario Superior Court, highlights the treatment of sexual-assault complainants in the criminal-justice system. Publication bans are routinely applied in sexual-assault cases under federal law to protect the identity of complainants. The stated aim is to promote reporting of crime and hold offenders accountable.
Sex-assault victim’s breaking of publication ban results in calls for legal, policy changes Bookmark Please log in to listen to this story. Also available in French and Mandarin. Log In Create Free Account
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Judge Colin Westman, formerly of the Ontario Court of Justice in Kitchener, displays a relevant section of the Criminal Code of Canada while speaking with the Globe and Mail on Dec. 11, 2013 about his criticisms of the victim surcharge system used in Canada. He said he was shocked and disappointed by the recent case that charged the victim for breaking a publication ban.