Canada judge apologizes for sexist comments in rape case that resulted in an acquittal
A Canadian judge who asked a rape victim why she didn’t keep her knees together has apologized, CBC News Calgary reports.
The incident, which stemmed from a 2014 rape trial Justice Robin Camp presided over, is being investigated by the Canadian Judicial Council.
“My concept of what I did wrong has grown,” Camp, 64, testified to an inquiry panel Friday. “I’m very sorry that, on reflection and rereading what I said, that I intimidated her, using facetious words.”
Currently a Federal Court judge, Camp was an Alberta provincial court judge when the statements were made. The rape case involved a witness who testified that she was raped over a bathroom sink, at a party.
“Young women want to have sex, particularly if they’re drunk,” he reportedly said in court, UPI reports.
Camp acquitted the defendant. The woman who made the accusation appealed to the Alberta Court of Appeal, which overturned the ruling. A new trial is scheduled for November.
A complaint about Camp filed by four law professors prompted the judicial investigation. During the Canadian Judicial Council hearing, Camp admitted that he has some biases, and is trying to get past them, the CBC reports.
He reportedly said that he was prejudiced to think “that all women behave the same way and should resist,” the news group reports.
Camp could be removed from the bench, depending on the Canadian Judicial Council’s decision, according to the CBC.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “Implicit bias is a challenge even for judges”
