Photo by Wayne Cuddington/ Postmedia PHOTO BY WAYNE CUDDINGTON /jpg from - https://www.google.ca/amp/s/ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/opposite-versions-heard-in-sex-assault-trial-of-former-carleton-basketball-star/wcm/83a1e122-6cc8-444d-969f-b4f688ed920a/amp/

A former Carleton Ravens basketball player (Edward 'Eddie' Ekiyor) was charged with overcome resistance to commit an offence, kidnapping, and sexual  assault in August of 2019. The incident took place on April 7, 2019, the night that some of the Carleton basketball team celebrated their national championship at a bar in the Byward Market.  

In the original police statement “On April 7, the man met a 23-year-old woman at a bar in the ByWard Market area, "where he plied her with alcohol and drugs," Ottawa police alleged in a news release. He then took her to an address in the city's west end and sexually assaulted her while she drifted in and out of consciousness, police said.” https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5249517

The verdict was given on October 1, 2021. The judge found the victim was drugged with a date rape drug like GHB, but might have consented because she was unable to form reliable memories because of the effects of the drug. The judge goes on to say, “It is a dangerous and utterly demoralizing reality that men use these drugs to target and victimize vulnerable young women,” he said. “People need to exercise extreme care when out drinking in public…Men and women need to look out for one another in such situations.”
https://www.google.ca/amp/s/ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/former-carleton-university-basketball-star-acquitted-of-sexual-assault/wcm/282b340b-5632-4c37-95ef-8746a357f6ed/amp/

In 2021, this is a completely disgusting and shocking decision. This decision seems to be based on rape myths and further supports rape culture. This is a situation where the survivor came forward, went through the system and was absolutely failed by the system. How can it be found that the woman was drugged by a date rape drug, vomiting, drifting in and out of consciousness, yet still had the capacity to consent? This demonstrates how women and sexual assault survivors continue to be re victimized and are unprotected by our justice system. This is outrageous and unacceptable.

Please sign and share this petition to urge the Crown Attorneys Office to appeal this case. 

You are also welcome to contact the Attorney Generals Office, attorneygeneral@ontario.ca to share your concern for this decision.