The perfect victim, the imperfect film

My column in the documentary The perfect victim Provoked many reactions.

If Emily Periault and Monique Noran wanted to start a discussion, they would have succeeded. But if they want to paint a fair and equitable portrait of the justice system, many will think it has failed.

Sensationalism?

A criminologist who specializes in sexual crime issues wrote to me: “It is dishonest to portray the judiciary as an ally of abusers. I can’t think of a better way to benefit the victims. We want to push them alone and Vendetta that we can’t do them well. Has journalistic impartiality been sacrificed on the emotional altar and a certain sensationalism? “

When leaving the film a criminal lawyer texted me: “I feel sorry for the victims of the robbery in this dishonest show … it was worse than I thought”.

The victim of sexual harassment, who recently found her assailant guilty after trial, wrote to me: “The system can be improved. But this is a delicate matter, it must have a nuance. Trailer for The perfect victim It discourages a lot of people from complaining. Too bad! There are prosecutors and researchers who are doing amazing work ”.

Om^E Michelle LeBron of the Quebec Association of Defense Lawyers, along with five other defense lawyers, watched the film … all of them women. Also, in this film, why do we only see three male defense lawyers? Interviewing women defending alleged aggressors, does it match the feminist perspective of the film?

“This film depicts the legal system of the 1950s! Om told me^E Brown. For the past 40 years, there has been a serious and profound reflection on the protection of victims, against intrusion into their privacy, and against “myths and stereotypes”. Without talking about these changes in jurisprudence, the film is misleading the audience. It’s half the truth – the truths and the unpleasant scenes … “

Among the questions asked about the film:

1. The film opens with the (excessive) testimony of several victims of sexual abuse, including a very young girl, but without telling us whether their assailant has been convicted. In their case, did the justice system work?
2. Today, in court, why not talk about the fact that judges are always looking for inappropriate behavior?
3. Many were outraged that the circus music was played while the lawyers were trying to explain the concept of reasonable doubt. It is a process of bad faith when we know how difficult it is for even the judge to popularize complex legal concepts, especially cold ones.

Not a Disney movie

I added the last question: This image is classified as “General”. Is it really recommended for victims to take small children to see a film that describes the abuse they experienced in a very graphic way (children are tied up, repeatedly raped, the victim has to eat their own feces)?