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I posted this in the country forum but I don't know how many people will see it, if any :\
I know it's a little on the short notice side, but if you're in Toronto, PLEASE think about attending this!!!!!
URGENT: NO JUSTICE FOR TEENAGE VICTIM OF RAPE IN CANADA SURVIVOR OF SEXUAL ASSAULT TO BE DEPORTED
Press Conference Federal Court Appearance Tomorrow, Tuesday July 27th, 2004 10 am 330 University Ave (just north of Queen)
** All are welcome - women are especially encouraged to come **
A 19 year old teenage girl was sexually assaulted in Toronto in February 2004. After building up the courage, and with the assistance of youth trauma counselors, she reported the rape to Toronto Police. The accused was charged with sexual assault and is in custody. However, no date has been set for his trial.
The young teenager who is the complainant and who is in Canada without immigration status, was also arrested and detained by Immigration authorities and is now scheduled for removal to her native Grenada.
The young girl will be removed before she has a chance to testify and give evidence at the trial of the accused. Criminal lawyer Mary Misner, says that the sexual assault case is “unlikely to be successfully prosecuted without the complainant”.
On July 28th, 2004, the accused is to appear in criminal court to set a date for his trial, ironically, the same day the complainant is to be deported from Canada
Sima Zerehi, member of the group No One is Illegal is shocked that Immigration is still stubbornly deporting the young girl and refusing to defer her removal until she testifies at the trial of the man she claims raped her and who has threatened to harm her upon his return to the same country of Grenada. “The message sent to women without status in Canada by this case is: if you are a victim of crime you can expect to be victimized a second time for reporting it to the police and you can also expect the accused to get off ‘scott-free’ for raping you”. It is a very dangerous message.”
Social worker Mary Ann Di Paolo who has over 30 years experience counseling youth is shocked and distressed; “As Canadians we should be appalled by this case, the message to rapists is: it’s okay to rape women without status because they’ll be deported before they can testify against the rapist.“
Federal Court deportation hearing will be held on Tuesday July 27th, 2004 at 11:00
Support NJ! Please come out tomorrow.
Press Conference Federal Court Appearance Tomorrow, Tuesday July 27th, 2004 10 am 330 University Ave (just north of Queen)
Speakers will include:
Amina Sherazee, Lawyer for N.J. Sima Zerehi, member of organization “No One Is Illegal” Mary Ann Di Paolo, West End Sexual Abuse Treatment Toronto Rape Crisis Centre (tentative)
Also please take a moment to call or fax Judy Sgro, Minister of Immigration, and demand that she defer N.J.’s removal so she can testify in court and get a proper risk assessment!
Constituency Office: Tel: 416-744-1882 Fax: 416-952-1696 2201 Finch Ave W, Suite 25 Toronto, ON M9M 2Y9
Parliament Hill Office: Tel: 613-992-7774 Fax: 613-947-8319 Rm 239, Confederation Bldg House of Commons Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
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