In cases reported to police, 80% of sexual assault complainants knew the accused. Approximately 10% were assaulted by a friend and 41% were assaulted by an acquaintance. 28% were assaulted by a family member, while the remaining 20% were assaulted by a stranger. (Statistics Canada, 2003) These statistics underscore the reason why sexual assault trials are so emotional and disturbing. Most often they involve the allegation by a female of one or more unwanted sexual acts performed upon them by someone they know. Families and friends become divided and choose sides; the accused may have no friend in the courtroom but his lawyer. When representing the accused in sexual assault cases I have to be steadfast in my belief in the accused and I cannot fall prey to feeling sympathy for the complainant. This can be difficult for some as inn 2002, children and youth accounted for 61% of sexual assault cases reported to police. I always keep in mind that my priority is my client. Other people have the complainant’s best interests in mind, where I have only my clients to think about.
Back to Practice Areas