Weekly Rights Digest (June 16-June 22)

17 June 2024

Trial begins for ex-Edmonton track coach, 75, accused of sexually abusing five teen athletes

Johnny Wakefield, Edmonton Journal

Keywords: Sexual Abuse, Track and Field, Alberta

"A man once considered among Canada’s top track and field coaches sat silently in an Edmonton courtroom as a former athlete accused him of sexually abusing him four decades ago.. Thomas Kenneth Porter, 75, began a trial on more than a dozen sex abuse charges in Edmonton’s Court of King’s Bench Monday. He has pleaded not guilty"...Read More

19 June 2024

'I thought I was being cool; now I know the difference,' N.L. skate coach tells court of his online interactions with young students

Tara Bradbury, The Telegram (St. John's)

Keywords: Sexual Assault, SnapChat, Figure Skating, Newfoundland

"In hindsight, being alone with young female athletes and engaging with them on SnapChat was not a good idea, a local figure skating coach on trial in St. John’s for sexual assault said in court Wednesday. Matthew Power, 30, took the witness stand for a second day and was cross-examined by prosecutor Nicole Hurley on the evidence he gave Tuesday"...Read More

19 June 2024

Trial continues for ex-Edmonton track coach accused of sexually abusing athletes

Johnny Wakefield, Edmonton Journal

Keywords:  Sexual Abuse, Track and Field, Alberta

"A third former track athlete has told an Edmonton court about the time his former coach allegedly molested him.The trial of Thomas Kenneth Porter entered its third day Wednesday with testimony from a 62-year-old teacher who claims the one-time track and field coach sexually touched him at a party in the late 1970s"...Read More

20 June 2024

R. v Boychuk, 2024 BCSC 1534 (CanLII)

Supreme Court of British Columbia

Keywords: Sexual Assault, Nanaimo Buccaneers, Hockey, Junior A, British Columbia

"I want it clearly understood that I am not making a positive finding that the alleged sexual assault did not happen. But, the evidence leaves me with significant uncertainty about which parts of the complainant's evidence can be counted on as reliable. And, it bears repeating that even if it might be said that the accused probably sexually assaulted the complainant, this would not be enough in law to convict. Stand, please, Mr. Boychuk. The evidence does not establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt and I find you not guilty." Read More

21 June 2024

Canadian player racially abused online in wake of 2-0 Copa America loss to Argentina

Canadian Press, CTV News

Keywords: Racism, Soccer

"Canada's impressive performance in a 2-0 loss to top-ranked Argentina at Copa America has come at a cost. Canada Soccer says one of its players was a victim of online racial abuse following Thursday's tournament curtain-raiser at Mercedes-Benz Stadium"...Read More

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