Former journalist Michel Venne will be going to prison after the Quebec Court of Appeal upheld his sexual assault conviction. The court rejected Venne's appeal, confirming his six-month prison sentence handed down in 2021 for assaulting author and filmmaker Léa Clermont-Dion when she was 17 years old.
The incident occurred in 2008 during the summer school of the Institut du Nouveau Monde (INM), an organization Venne led at the time. Clermont-Dion was a student intern at the organization. She had accused Venne of touching her sexually on two separate occasions, once in a taxi and another time in front of the building where she was staying. The court dismissed the accusation related to the taxi incident, but Venne was found guilty for the second incident.
Venne had argued in his appeal that the trial judge, Stéphane Poulin, had made mistakes in his assessment of the evidence and had given more weight to Clermont-Dion's testimony than his own. He claimed that the judge had reversed the burden of proof by giving more credence to the victim's version of events than his own.
However, The Court of Appeal rejected these arguments. In a decision written by Justice Stephen Hamilton, the court concluded that the trial judge had carefully reviewed the evidence and that the guilty verdict was reasonable. They stated that the trial judge did not commit the errors alleged by Venne and that he did not apply a double standard in his assessment of the evidence.
The court added that the judge had taken into account the weaknesses in Clermont-Dion's testimony, which had led to Venne's acquittal on the accusation related to the taxi incident.
Venne's legal team argued that the judge had been biased towards Clermont-Dion in the way he treated the testimonies, including those of the accused and the late journalist Lise Payette. Payette had been aware of the rumors about Venne's actions, and when he was trying to secure a leadership position at the newspaper Le Devoir, she had sought out Clermont-Dion to have her sign a letter denying the rumors. The victim testified that she had signed the letter at Payette's behest while still in shock.
When Clermont-Dion filed her complaint, she had called Payette and recorded their conversation without Payette's knowledge to confirm that she had not agreed to write the letter in 2015. The recording of this call, which had been truncated in parts, was presented as evidence during the trial.
Venne also asserted that the judge had dismissed his version of events based on prejudice and stereotypes. This argument was also dismissed by the Court of Appeal, which concluded that the guilty verdict reached in the first instance was not unreasonable, as Venne had argued.
A History of Denial and Retaliation
The conviction of Michel Venne marks a crucial step toward justice for Léa Clermont-Dion and a reminder that powerful figures often try to evade accountability. This case also highlights the systematic nature of denial and retaliation often faced by those who come forward with allegations of sexual assault.
Venne's attempt to discredit Clermont-Dion and the court's decision is a tactic frequently used by those accused of sexual assault. However, the Court of Appeal's decision underscores the importance of believing survivors and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Moving Forward: A Call for Change
This case brings to light a disturbing pattern of abuse of power and the manipulation of trust, often perpetrated by those in positions of authority. The justice system's response to Venne's conviction serves as a hopeful sign, but it is essential to recognize that the fight for justice for survivors of sexual assault is far from over. We must continue to advocate for comprehensive changes to protect individuals and promote accountability.
This case serves as a critical reminder of the importance of dismantling the culture of silence that often surrounds sexual violence. It encourages open dialogue, support for victims, and a commitment to ensuring that justice prevails in all instances of sexual assault.
#MeToo and Beyond: A Long Road to Justice
The #MeToo movement has brought to light the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment, and it has spurred a much-needed conversation about accountability. While this movement has been a powerful force for change, it is vital to recognize that the fight for justice for survivors is ongoing. The conviction of Michel Venne represents a positive step in this fight, but it is essential to acknowledge that much work remains to be done to create a society where sexual assault is no longer tolerated and survivors are empowered to seek justice.
