“That the process is likely to always be difficult for complainants does not make it any less important both to recognize the ways in which lawyers and judges contribute to the trauma of the trial, and to take whatever steps are reasonably possible to make the process more humane.” -- Elaine … [Read more...]
The #MeToo Movement Hasn’t Led to a Better Understanding of Consent
If you had to define what constitutes consent in sexual situations, what would you say? Is it something you could explain to your children? If you're feeling awkward or hesitating, you're not alone. And even if you think you know how to define consent, our latest survey at the Canadian Women's … [Read more...]
The Morality of #metoo
The forced resignation of Patrick Brown as leader of the Ontario Conservatives raises concerns of fairness and due process – for him and for the women accusing him. Christie Blatchford has castigated the party and other public officials for abandoning the “presumption of innocence”, and has … [Read more...]
#MeToo is a Movement, Not a Moment
For those contemplating the origins of the #MeToo movement and the current climate around sexual assault and harassment, they might remember October 11, 1991. On that day, a young, black female lawyer from Oklahoma and Yale law school graduate walked into a U.S. Senate Confirmation Hearing for … [Read more...]
The Barbra Schlifer Legal Clinic and Ontario’s Independent Legal Advice Project
In the last few years, we have witnessed a revitalized global movement to challenge the status quo and demand that institutions that are perpetuating the deleterious effects of patriarchy be dismantled. We have seen a mass collective of women from Canada, the United States, Paris, Brazil, India and … [Read more...]