For Immediate Release
4 April, 2024
NDP MHA Lela Evans (Torngat Mountains) was pleased to hear the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, John Hogan (Windsor Lake), apologize for dismissing the experiences of victims she brought forward in the House of Assembly. Evans says the apology was deeply concerning as it outlined that throughout his career, he was oblivious that these barriers to justice are put in front of victims of sexual assault. Evans is concerned that he offered no explanation on how he will use his position of power to make change and that many of the Attorney General’s peers lack knowledge of their own ignorance that influences their decisions and actions.
“It’s very sad that the top law officer of the Crown in this province, the Attorney General, only had his eyes opened to what’s happening in courtrooms after he wrongly accused victims of misrepresenting their own experiences with the justice system,” said Evans. “I hope that this is a lesson to everyone, especially people in positions of power, to be open to hearing peoples’ lived experiences rather than defending a system that fails people seeking justice,” said Evans.
“Minister Hogan jumped to his feet and embodied the dismissive attitude that victims of sexual assault experience when seeking justice, and was willfully ignorant when their concerns were brought to the House of Assembly,” said Evans. “An apology was warranted, and I was pleased that victims were able to hear that. Now, I look forward to him outlining how he is going to use his position of power and privilege to do the hard work and enact change.”
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For further information, contact Eddy St. Coeur, Director of Communications, NDP Caucus at 729-2137 (o), or eddystcoeur@gov.nl.ca