Justice Maria Carroccia’s ruling in R. v. McLeod et al., the criminal trial involving five former Canadian World Junior hockey players accused of group sexual assault, is deeply disturbing. Her decision reflects not just a troubling outcome, but a dangerous pattern of reasoning that contradicts decades of progress in Canadian sexual assault law.

Despite citing cases like R. v. Ewanchuk, R. v. Barton, R. v. Kruk, R. v. Hoggard, and R. v. G.F., Justice Carroccia:

• Relied on rape myths and outdated stereotypes about how “real” victims behave;
• Treated the complainant’s dress, alcohol consumption, and bar behaviour as relevant to her credibility;
• Failed to account for trauma responses like freezing, dissociation, and fawning;
• Excused contradictions in the accused’s testimony, while holding the complainant to a near-impossible standard;
• Ignored the power dynamics and coercive nature of a group assault by assessing each accused in isolation.

Most disturbingly, Justice Carroccia used the complainant’s own words and demeanour — including her appearance in a 6-second “consent video” filmed after she had cried and tried to leave — to frame her as a willing participant. In doing so, the judge dismissed well-established trauma-informed science, failed to meaningfully apply case law, and allowed discriminatory reasoning to shape the outcome.

This is not just a legal disagreement; it is rather, a crisis in public trust.

The verdict has emboldened misogynistic voices online, discouraged survivors from coming forward, and signaled that Canadian courts may still punish women for how they dress, drink, or respond under fear. The complainant in this case was not protected; instead, she was the one put on trial.

We believe that:

• Myths and stereotypes have no place in a courtroom. 
• Trauma responses must be understood and respected by the judiciary. 
• Sexual assault law must be applied equally, not selectively.
• Survivors deserve dignity, fairness, and belief.

We therefore call on the Canadian Judicial Council to:

• Conduct an immediate, independent investigation into Justice Carroccia’s conduct and reasoning in R. v. McLeod et al.
•  Evaluate whether her repeated use of discredited logic constitutes judicial misconduct
•  Affirm the importance of trauma-informed reasoning and reject courts that punish victims for not being “perfect”

Justice in Canada must be grounded in fairness and not fear. Judicial independence must never become judicial impunity.

If you believe survivors deserve better, if you believe judges must be held to account, and if you believe that no one should face legal punishment for surviving a group sexual assault — please sign and share this petition.

Let’s tell the Canadian Judicial Council: We’re watching and we will not be silent.