Protest bravery award for man convicted of sexual assault - and more...
by Jess McCabe // 13 September 2008, 19:23
Guy Armand Raes has just been sentenced to eight months in Canadian prison for sexually assaulting a 17 year old girl. Why, then, is he about to be given an award for bravery by the Queen's representative in Canada, Governor General Michaëlle Jean?
The judge said Raes had abused his position of power to sexually assault the girl from Airdrie, outside Calgary, whom he was trying to help overcome drug and alcohol addiction."What aggravates the situation is that given his age, being a father himself, being a police officer and a person acting as a role model for a struggling, drug-addicted girl who expressed that she did not have anyone as important as Const. Raes in her life, elevates this act to something more than a momentary lapse of judgment," the judge said.
WitchyWoo has a full breakdown, including these contact details for Jean - everyone should register their protest at this:
To register your protest contact: Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D. Governor General of Canadaby email at info@gg.ca
by phone at (613) 993-8200 (or toll-free in Canada 1 800 465-6890)
by fax at (613) 998-8760
or by mail at
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A1
As a sidenote, how fucked up is it that this story about the case still calls Raes a "Hero Mountie" in its headline?
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At Feministing, Miriam links up a trailer for A Jihad for Love, which follows the lives of lesbian and gay Muslims across 12 countries and nine languages.
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Renee // Posted 13 September 2008 at 20:11
he is being given the award because one thing does not have to do with another. He did perform the acts for which he is being awarded. He is also going to be punished for the crimes that he committed. Saying this does not in any way diminish the seriousness of the assault that he committed.
Elf // Posted 13 September 2008 at 20:33
Hi, I didn't know where else to post this comment, but I needed to say THANK YOU to this website, for existing, for voicing feminine opinions in a safe environment and for giving me facts and figures - I have always had an idea that there is something wrong but was never able to know what, and people who seemed intelligent and respectable have always told me that there is NO sexism in this country anymore.
So THANK YOU for all your work and for creating this site. I believe it will change my life forever
xxxxxx
Kirsty // Posted 13 September 2008 at 20:50
Does anyone know if A Jihad for Love is playing in the UK? I went to the website but they only seem to show dates for screenings in the US.
Jess McCabe // Posted 13 September 2008 at 22:13
Renee - Sure, the two things are not connected, but I don't think that means that it's not fair to call for the award to be withdrawn in the light of the fact it's disgusting to give a bravery award to a man who went on to commit sexual assault.
Elf - :-)
Kirsty - I've not heard, but I suspect it'll be a bit behind the US screenings...