DEMAND FOR PITT MEADOWS’ GANG-RAPE CASE TO BE JUDGED BY THE COURT
“We are calling on the Attorney General, ShirleyBond to direct the Crown to insist this case is heard before a judge."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2012
DEMAND FOR PITT MEADOWS’ GANG-RAPE CASE
TO BE JUDGED BY THE COURT.
Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter applauds the young woman, who was the victim of the rape in Pitt Meadows, for her courageous decision to publicly speak out yet again today.
Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter joins this young woman and her father’s call; to break the code of silence and for those who witnessed the attack to come forward and tell what they know. By refusing to come forward they are complicit in the failure to hold these men accountable for their sexual violence.
The Crown’s decision is a betrayal of this rape victim and sends a clear message to all women not to seek justice through the criminal justice system. This is another blatant example of the state’s refusal to hold men accountable for their violent crimes committed against women.
“Not enough evidence” means police and Crown failure. We refuse to accept “the unlikelihood of conviction” as a reason to keep the attackers from facing justice. “We are calling on the Attorney General, ShirleyBond to direct the Crown to insist this case is heard before a judge”, said Summer-Rain Bentham of Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter.
Media Contact:
Summer Rain Bentham, Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter
Tel: (604) 872-8212
Email: summerrainb@rapereliefshelter.bc.ca