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June 23, 2016

THE EMANCIPATION OF COMING FORWARD

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  After going through the process of our mythical justice system and all its gendered sexism and slippery rape shield laws, I felt great relief to reach the other side of the trial and be done.  My focus quickly became my website.   It was my way of healing and keeping with my intention to help others going through the system. Shortly after Coming Forward’s launch, my project was quickly halted with many confusing reasons for all the roadblocks and false...

May 24, 2016

APPARENTLY RAPE IS A CAREER BUILDER

FEA-PORTER4 TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY, 4 - Mandi Gray is a PhD student at York University. She says she was raped by a fellow PhD student, whom she had been dating. She went to the hospital for a forensic rape kit and reported to police within two days. In her ongoing trial she is endlessly questioned over her own actions. __NOTE: There are more photos in EMMA__February 4, 2016 Richard Lautens/Toronto Star

  Today, once again I stood with the sisterhood of survivors on the old city hall steps holding signs in support of sexual assault survivors. Today our survivor in court was Mandi Gray. This is starting to feel like a second home to me and right now this is where I belong. Flash mobs, rallies, supporting survivors in court, conferences, blogs, bring it on because I will be there. Today was my second time watching the Mandi Gray trial. I...

May 15, 2016

“THE CLEAREST PATH TO THE TRUTH” warning may be triggering

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  May 11, 2016, a day I’ll never forget. I started May 11, 2016 with very mixed emotions. The impending peace bond with rumours of a possible apology. I wasn’t certain how I felt but the initial internal screaming was hard to ignore. I came to the court to hold signs and stand with my sisters in support of survivors. The inference was that the crown had once again thrown in the towel with no faith in his witness. Was...

April 19, 2016

If she’s unable to consent, it’s rape. Warning – may be triggering

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At the time I did not realize it was rape. I was 19. It was the night of a Halloween party. I drank two bottles of cheap wine and was chatting with one of my friends. I think I sat on his lap at one point. He asked me to come home with him to try his vaporizer. We walked to his place. We smoked a lot of weed. I remember asking him if I could sleep in his bed...