Manitoba Judge Barred From Hearing Cases “Of a Sexual Nature”

Justice Robert Dewar gave leniency to a convicted sex offender, saying his victim was partly responsible for the attack because she dressed provocatively.

At a sentencing hearing in Thompson, MB on Feb. 18, Dewar let a convicted sex offender off with no jail time and called the sex assault he was convicted of a case of “misunderstood signals,” prompting outrage from feminist groups and organizations that work with assault victims, who have long fought the public perception that women who dress provocatively invite rape. In a written statement, Queen's Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal said Dewar will continue to sit on the bench but will be removed from any case “of a sexual nature” while a federal review is carried out. The province said last week it was filing a complaint with the Canadian Judicial Council over Dewar’s remarks.