NDP Women’s Issues critic urges appeal in intoxication defense for sexual assault, violent crimes

TORONTO — Jill Andrew, the Official Opposition Women’s Issues critic, is urging the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney-General to appeal an Ontario Court of Appeal decision that makes voluntary intoxication a legitimate defense in sexual assault and violent crime cases.

“It is already incredibly difficult for survivors of sexual assault to come forward, and to get the justice they deserve for the heinous crimes committed against them,” said Andrew. “Anything that makes it even more difficult for survivors of sexual assault and violent crimes to get that justice is a painful step backwards.”

Andrew said the Ontario Court of Appeal decision flies in the face of some of the progress made by the #MeToo movement.

“The NDP is strongly urging an appeal, so a higher court can weigh the impact this decision may have on the lives of women, trans women and sex workers, their bodies, and the justice they deserve after surviving sexual assault or violence.”