The Queen v. Seaboyer and Gayme (1992)

Download factum - Supreme Court of Ontario:
Download factum - Supreme Court of Canada:

LEAF intervened in this case to urge the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of two men charged with sexual assault, who were challenging the Criminal Code provisions which restricted the brutal cross-examination of sexual assault survivors about their past history and sexual reputation.

LEAF urged the Court to uphold the 'rape shield' provision, saying that sexual assault trials must focus on the violent acts of the accused, rather than the behaviour of the women and children who have been sexually assaulted.

When the rape shield provision was struck down by the Court, LEAF, as part of a coalition of women's organizations, played an important role in consulting with the Minister of Justice to ensure that new sexual assault legislation addressed women's equality concerns.

Supporting documents
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Supreme Court of Canada Decision (1991)