Military panels should have gender parity, advocate says after N.S. acquittal
HALIFAX — An advocate for sexual assault survivors is calling on the military to incorporate gender parity on court martial panels, after a five-men panel found a Halifax-based military policeman not guilty of sexually assaulting a female superior officer.
Marie-Claude Gagnon, founder of the military sexual trauma support group It’s Just 700, said complainants in sexual assault cases, especially women, would feel more comfortable if there was more diversity on the panel deciding the case.
“Having a five-man panel is definitely not the answer,” said Gagnon in an interview Thursday from Ottawa, one day after Sgt. Kevin MacIntyre was acquitted of sexual assault.
“It could be more inclusive, the way they’re doing their practice, to make sure it’s more equitable — not equal, but equitable — and take gender into consideration, especially when they’re trying to get more women into the military.”