TORONTO — A victim advocacy group says a new policy restricting observers from attending court virtually adds unnecessary roadblocks for victims and their supporters.
Earlier this month, the Ontario Court of Justice implemented an interim policy that blocks public access to court proceedings via Zoom.
The policy was introduced in response to a series of Zoom bombings, where participants disrupted court by broadcasting pornography or using profanities.
In a letter to Katie Wood, Ontario's assistant deputy attorney general, victim advocacy group End Violence Everywhere said the policy is a major step back.
"This change marks a significant step backwards in transparency and access to justice," EVE wrote in its letter.
"Restricting public access to virtual courtrooms risks reinforcing the opacity of the justice system and undermines confidence in its fairness and accessibility.
"It also presents barriers to non-profit organizations, community observers, and those with mobility, financial, or geographic constraints."
The letter is co-signed by Ish Van Der Rassel, EVE's CEO, and Cait Alexander, the group's founder.
EVE said the use of virtual courtrooms increased public access to judicial proceedings.
It allowed survivors of violence, advocates, and members of the community to safely and meaningfully engage with the justice system.
Alexander first became involved with the justice system at age 20 in a case against a Toronto photographer who was found guilty of sexually assaulting more than a dozen women.
Years after the sexual assault, Alexander almost lost her life in an attack by another man when she tried to leave him.
In the end, that case was dismissed due to Section 11B of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees people accused of crimes in Canada a speedy trial.
Alexander founded EVE to assist other survivors in dealing with the Canadian justice system.
Dan Jennings, a Sault man who uses virtual court to observe the case of his daughter's alleged killer in London, Ont., recently told SooToday the interim policy makes him feel restricted because he can't always attend court in person.
In an email yesterday, a spokesperson for the Ontario Court of Justice said it is actively pursuing other solutions.
