In Light of Recent Events

The results of the widely-publicized Ghomeshi trial have drawn a lot of attention to our justice system’s response to victims of rape and sexual abuse. A lot of critics are saying that the court system needs to be overhauled, so that women won’t have to fear coming forward.

In The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die, Linda Stewardson, a survivor of horrific abuse and even a murder attempt by her stepfather, Gerry, describes her experience when she finally pressed charges against him.

“The defence went after my hospital records. They were planning to use my psychiatric history against me. If they could cast doubts about my mental stability, it would cast doubt on my whole testimony…I felt as though I was the one on trial instead of Gerry. Yes, I had a long history of psychiatric problems, drug addictions and suicide attempts, along with dissociative disorder, but that was because of Gerry! The damage he had done to me shouldn’t be used as his defence.”

When Linda gave her testimony in court, she says about the experience, “Wednesday was my turn to be questioned—grilled, more like it. For two days , I was interrogated by two defence attorneys whose only goal was to make me look like a liar and a crazy person….There were times when I felt as though I was going to pass out…..I felt as though I was being raped and abused all over again.”

In the end, Linda’s abuser was found guilty and given an eighteen-month sentence. Linda was stunned that the judge considered that a “stiff sentence.” Nevertheless, she said that meeting Gerry’s eyes after the sentencing and staring him down was one of the most empowering things she had every done. “He wouldn’t ever again intimidate me or have control over my life.”

“It was definitely worthwhile, but it’s not something that everyone could do; it’s a tough process. It was all worth it in the end to hear a judge say that he believed me. After years of being called a liar and a rebellious attention-seeker, it was sweet to be believed.”

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