Judge cites new empathy on sex assault before disciplinary hearing

The Globe and Mail interviewed UBC law professor Emma Cunliffe about Canada’s first disciplinary review of a judge’s conduct during a sex assault trial.

Justice Robin Camp faces six allegations stemming from a 2014 trial, including belittling sexual assault victims, demeaning the prosecutor, advancing rape myths and stereotypes, and showing antipathy to the law on sexual assault, specifically its courtroom protections for vulnerable victims.

“I think there’s a widely held sense among those who work in the field of sexual assault and conduct research in it that victims are being underserved by the Canadian justice system, in spite of the fact that the law on sexual assault looks pretty good,” Cunliffe said. “The question that remains is how can we change the culture of the Canadian legal system in such a way that victims are better protected.”