Some rape crisis centers report spikes in calls since the onset of Hockey Canada sexual harassment test

Warning: This article refers to sexual assault and can influence people who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.

Some rape crisis centers are reporting a big jump in a call since the onset of high-profile tests of five former junior hockey players accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room in 2018.

Center’s education and communication manager Carle Docket said that at the Sexual Harassment Support Center of the Waterloo region, there is a 25 percent spike to seek help in the number of women or talk about their own experiences with sexual violence.

“We are looking at everything on the support line,” he said. “We have survived in the community that have been retracted by what they are reading and watching in the news. They are arriving for support because perhaps it is bringing memories and experiences and requires some support.”

Other callers want to talk about whether the police have their own experience with reporting and undergoing a criminal justice system and may be like a test EM, the complainant in the World Junior Hockey case said.

“It is very common that people feel that our legal system is not equipped to deal with cases of sexual violence and sexual harassment.”

Michael McLeod, Dillon Dubey, Alex Foremitton, Cal Fute and Carter Heart have not convicted allegations of sexual harassment arising from their time in a London hotel, where they attended Hockey Canada Gala in June 2018.

M told the police that he had consent with McLeod in his hotel room after one night of dancing and drinking in a local bar. The Crown alleged that McLod invited her comrades to the hotel room for the sex act with EM, which she says she did not agree.

The men have alleged that they were sexually aggressive and agreed to sexual acts.

Since then Testing started about two months agoAdvocate Julie Lalond, a victim’s right in Ottawa, said, “The sexual harassment center is scattered to increase call volume across the country-he says that whenever a high-profile trial or event brings awareness for sexual violence, a victim’s right in Ottawa said Juli Lalond.”

Lalande said, “Calls to support the lines have been through the roof because women are triggered by the details coming out of the case and out.”

The cross-examination of the EM by five defense teams has inspired some women to move forward to the police with their complaints, Lalonde said.

“Women reflect themselves in this experience and this is their worst dream.”

Executive Director Jennifer Dunn said that London misused the women’s center about 350 to 400 calls per month for its crisis line. Since the test began, the number has been above 400 consecutive, he said.

Violence has ‘lifetime influence’

“When something is in media or prevalent in the community, we are usually ready for spike (in call),” Dun said. “Current customers have told us that the test is affecting them and we are able to work with them that address the trauma that is being brought at the forefront.”

Other callers are asking how specific Dunn said how specific sexual harassment proceedings are.

“There are concerns that if they choose to report what has happened to them, would it seem what is happening in court right now.”

He said that the London Center has made a distance call as Alberta to express its support.

“Women who have been subjected to any kind of violence often have a lifetime effect. Sometimes, whether it has happened years ago, or yesterday, those feelings can come back. It can almost be as if you are giving relief what you are doing.”

The EM filed a police report in 2018, but the London Police Service (LPS) closed the case without charging someone in early 2019.

Hockey Canada settled a civil case brought by EM in 2022. When the media described the case described in the media, the LPS reopened the investigation and eventually accused five people on the test.

In the judge-alon trial, the closure of arguments from Defense and Crown lawyers before Justice Maria Karokia will begin on Monday.

“It takes a lot of courage and a lot of strength, to go through something in this way, and the fact that the M was ready to stay at the stand and to become a witness in this case I think it really shows her strength and can talk to women who are probably wanting to do the same thing,” Dun said.

Waterloo region’s sexual attack support center Docket said that a lesson and chat service has been started which allows people to contact them instead of keeping phone calls.

“Raising a phone and talking out loud is not always anything that is accessible to them. If they are looking for support, it is a more prudent way to use support for people.”

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If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety or for other people around you, please call 911. For support in your area, you can see through crisis lines and local services Database to end Canada’s Sexual Violence Association