Stand With Due Process

Support the Edmonton Oilers' Decision to Sign Alex Formenton

Sexual assault is a serious issue. Survivors deserve to be heard, supported and treated with dignity.

I believe that deeply.

But I also believe something else can be true at the same time: an allegation is not a conviction, and an acquittal must mean something.

Alex Formenton faced extraordinarily serious allegations. Those allegations were investigated, criminal charges were laid, evidence was presented in court, witnesses were examined and cross-examined, and the case was ultimately decided by a judge.

Alex was acquitted.

We cannot say that we believe in due process only when we agree with the outcome.

The presumption of innocence is one of the foundations of the Canadian justice system. It exists precisely because accusations can permanently affect a person's reputation, livelihood and future long before guilt has ever been established.

Supporting the Edmonton Oilers' decision to sign Alex Formenton does not require anyone to minimize sexual assault.

It does not require attacking the complainant.

And it does not require believing that women should not come forward.

It simply requires recognizing the difference between an allegation and a finding of guilt.

As a mother raising both sons and a daughter, I believe conversations about sexual assault, consent and personal responsibility need to include everyone.

Our daughters should know that their boundaries matter.

Our sons should know that consent must always be respected.

Young people should understand how alcohol and intoxication can complicate situations involving sexual activity and consent.

And both young men and young women should understand the enormous consequences that can follow accusations of sexual misconduct.

There should be room in this conversation for compassion toward people who report sexual assault and fairness toward people who are accused.

These  principles are not enemies.

A justice system cannot function if a person can be tried, acquitted, and then effectively told that the verdict makes no difference because public punishment must continue indefinitely.

That is not due process.

People are free to disagree with the Edmonton Oilers' decision. Fans are free to criticize the organization, stop watching games or express their concerns.

But we are equally free to say that we support the organization's decision to allow an acquitted individual the opportunity to resume his professional career.

What we are asking

We are asking the Edmonton Oilers not to reverse their decision simply because of public

pressure arising from allegations for which Alex Formenton was acquitted.

We ask the organization to stand behind the principles of due process, fairness and the presumption of innocence.

This petition is not against sexual-assault survivors.

It is for the principle that allegations should be taken seriously, investigated thoroughly and decided on evidence - and that the outcome of that process should also be respected.

Taking sexual assault seriously and believing in due process are not mutually exclusive. We should be capable of doing both.

WhyI started this petition

I am the mother of three sons and a daughter, and I was sexually assaulted as a teenager. Because of my own experience, conversations about consent and sexual assault matter enormously to me.

I talk to my sons about these issues just as seriously as I talk to my daughter. I want my daughter to understand that her boundaries matter, and I want my sons to understand consent, responsibility and how important it is to protect themselves and others in situations involving sex and alcohol.

My experience as a survivor has not made me believe that every accusation must automatically be treated as proof of guilt. It has made me believe even more strongly that these cases deserve to be investigated carefully, taken seriously and judged on the evidence.

I believe we can support survivors while also protecting the fundamental right of an accused person to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence.

You can support survivors and still believe in the presumption of innocence. I do.