Beyond Ghomeshi: Creating Ethical Practices in Criminal Sexual Assault Trials
Le verdict de l’affaire Ghomeshi sort le 24 mars. Voici le moment d’engager la conversation sur comment les survivantEs d'agression sexuelle peuvent être mieux serviEs.
Une procureure de la Couronne, une avocate de la défense en droit criminel, des universitaires et une activiste, toutes spécialisées en droit pénal, discuteront de l’équilibre délicat entre le respect des principes fondamentaux de la justice pour les accuséEs, tout en favorisant un meilleur espace pour les survivantEs dans le système judiciaire.
[En anglais seulement]
On March 24, 2016, the verdict of the highly publicized Jian Ghomeshi trial will be released. For months, the legal world, the media, and the general public have been talking about the shortfalls of the criminal justice system when it comes to dealing with sexual assault. This public discourse presents a unique opportunity to look beyond Ghomeshi and start a conversation about how survivors of sexual assault can be better served.
A crown prosecutor, a criminal defence lawyer, academics and an activist, all who specialize and/or practice in this area of the law will discuss the difficult balance between respecting fundamental principles of justice for the defendant, while fostering a better space for survivors within the criminal justice system.
A reception will follow so that audience members and panellists can continue the conversation over wine and cheese. The reception will take place from 7-8:30 in the Atrium.
Panelists:
Professor Constance Backhouse holds the positions of Distinguished University Professor and University Research Chair at the Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa. She is internationally known for her feminist research and publications on sex discrimination and the legal history of gender and race in Canada.
Me. Suzanne Costom is a criminal defence lawyer at Shadley Battista Costom, one of the oldest firms practicing criminal and penal law in Québec. From 1997 to 2010, Suzanne was a sessional lecturer at the McGill Faculty of Law, where she has taught courses on evidence and sentencing. She has written a number of articles in the areas of criminal law and procedure, and speaks regularly at continuing legal education seminars.
Me. Sara Henningsson is a crown prosecutor at the Montreal Provincial Crown Attorney's Office since 2007. She specialises in sexual assault offences, crimes against children as well as drug and weapon related offences. She is current positioned on an organized crime related murder trial under the direction of the Bureau de la grande criminalité et des affaires spéciales.. In 2009 and 2010, she was a guest lecturer in the Criminal procedure course atMcGill University. She has been teaching seminars since 2014 such as Advanced Criminal Evidence - McGill University and and Special Topics - Sexual Assault Offences.
Chenthoori Malankov is the daughter of the Thamil diaspora who is an artivist from Toronto with a Bachelor’s degree from York University in Sociology & Womyn Studies.Utilizing alternative platforms such as arts, education models she designs and facilitates workshops with METAC a violence against women and youth organization, in schools through out Toronto on issues revolving around gender base violence & different forms of survivorship and the passion to create more spaces for marginalized voices. Chenthoori has been on a six city tour throughout the United States with the Heartbeats: The IZZAT Project, which is an expressive arts project in which young South Asian women use illustration, writing and theatre to explore and share community stories about resilience in the face of violence. On her spare time she enjoys spending time with family, her special puppy and constantly striving to make this world a safer place.
Moderator:
Professor Alana Klein teaches and researches in health law, criminal law, and human rights at the McGill Faculty of Law. The position of marginalized groups and individuals in decentralized and privatized systems and the role of accountability requirements in governance and decision-making are primary preoccupations in her research.
Other details
Accessibility: The event takes place at the Faculty of Law, in New Chancellor Day Hall. While the building and room are accessible (via the Library entrance on the east side, or via the last basement of the McIntyre garage), it is located on the Peel Street hill, halfway between Pine and Doctor Penfield. The Moot Court has a lift for wheel chairs and also platforms with movable tables and chairs at the back.
Warning: Some audience members may find the subject matter of this panel disturbing. Active listeners from the Sexual Assault Centre of the McGill Students' Society will be present to provide support to anyone who needs it.
This event will be recorded.
Presented by the Criminal Law Club of McGill, and made possible by funding from the McGill Law Career Development Office and the McGill Law Dean's Discrentionary Funds.
