The Editor:
As a non-Estevan resident reading the article "Sexual assault claims come into question at trial" I am struck by the biased reporting and leading headline.
The story states the trial was Monday to Friday however the witness quotes were only reported from Thursday, and focused on the defense.
Where are quotes from the other days? Where are quotes from the Crown witnesses and the prosecution?
This stand-alone story which only focuses on the defense leaves the reader with an impression that a victim of sexual assault lied about the incident, instead of presenting an unbiased account of the court proceedings.
Biased reporting such as this reinforces the fear that victims have when gathering courage to report a sexual assault. Statistically in Canada we know that less than 10 per cent of victims report sexual assaults, and in Saskatchewan we are diligently working to create a climate in which no victim fears to come forward.
As such, we urge further reports of this case to be presented fair and unbiased.
Dianna Graves
Executive Director
Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan
