After sentencing former Stanford University student, Brock Turner, to only six months in a county for three counts of sexual assault/rape, Judge Aaron Persky’s position on the bench has been petitioned and scrutinized worldwide. Now in Calvary, Canada, Federal Judge Robin Camp who in 2014, called an alleged rape victim the “accused,” and said should have kept her ‘knees together.” Alison Crawford with CBC reports the 19-year-old said she was raped over a bathroom sink at a house party. Judge Camp also said she should have sunk her bottom down into the sink so the rapist couldn’t penetrate her.
Four law professors filed complaints and Camp went to counseling and training about sexual assault, but has since been promoted to a federal judge (while not taking cases). During this case he was a provincial court judge. Camp says he’s better now and has made apologies. His public hearing will take place in September. The aforementioned rape case was appealed and a new trial will be set. The accused and acquitted rapist in the case was re-arrested in May.
Former National Hockey League player Sheldon Kennedy, who was sexually abused by his coach Graham James for many years understands all to well about victim blaming after finally reporting the assaults. He had this to say about Camp:
“Some people blamed me at the time but you know that was 18 years ago…I would have to think we are so much farther ahead than we were 18 years ago, but I guess after a comment like that—I guess I maybe question that.”
“All of the fears that she might have had leading into her disclosure came true—all of the above happened. Not only does it put her back but it empowers the perpetrator to keep doing what he’s doing and go out and hurt other people.”
Kennedy now dedicates his life to advocating and helping victims of rape and sexual abuse at the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre. Here is the Global News video:
x Embedded ContentThe head of Alberta Sexual Assault Services, Deb Tomlinson, said Camp’s comments were not all that rare.
“It really was like a textbook of rape myths and stereotypes.” she said. “It was a classic example of rape culture. I think rape culture is so insidiously embedded in our beliefs and our attitudes that most of us are not even aware of it.”
What’s equally if not more disturbing about the Camp case is wondering how many other comments and/or injustices in the courts have led rape victims to not only to lose their cases, but also to be publicly and judicially shamed—leading to many more victims not reporting rape because of that fear. Thankfully, there are people who care like Sheldon Kennedy and Deb Tomilson. It’s up to the media to bring awareness to the public and keep the discussion going.