The Crown has filed a notice to appeal the acquittal of former Kitchener neurologist Jeffrey Scott Sloka on 48 counts of sexual assault, a decision that sparked widespread outrage. Prosecutors argue that Ontario Court Justice Craig Parry erred in at least four legal areas, including using myth-based and stereotypical reasoning about how sexual assault complainants behave in a doctor-patient context.
In his ruling last month, Justice Parry described all 48 complainants as unreliable, stating that their memory, perceptions, and testimony were tainted by media coverage or publications from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Some, he said, lacked credibility or were deliberately dishonest.
Background of the Case
The women accused Sloka of touching their breasts or performing invasive pelvic and rectal exams during consultations for issues like migraines, tingling sensations, or seizure disorders. The Crown argued that these exams were sexual in nature, while Sloka testified they were performed for valid medical reasons. Despite the judge's disbelief, a disciplinary tribunal in 2019 had revoked Sloka's license after he pleaded no contest to engaging in sexual abuse of multiple patients.
Disciplinary Findings
Five women had complained to the CPSO about inappropriate examinations, including groping and unnecessary vaginal and rectal exams. One patient described feeling like an object for his pleasure, leaving her with no self-confidence. The college's neurological expert found no clinical purpose for the procedures, and the tribunal deemed Sloka's behavior deplorable. He agreed to pay $64,240 for victims' therapy costs and never reapply for a medical license.
Impact of the Acquittal
Sara Casselman, executive director of the Sexual Assault Support Centre for Waterloo Region, said the verdict reopened wounds and reinforced fears about coming forward. She expressed support for the Crown's appeal, emphasizing the need for public confidence in the justice system. However, if a retrial is ordered, the women may face the ordeal of testifying again.
