The Legal System's Failures: A Personal Journey Through Injustice in Historical Sexual Assault Cases.

Speaking out about sexual assault takes immense courage. For survivors, the hope is that the justice system will listen, support, and act fairly. Unfortunately, my experience revealed a system that often fails those it is meant to protect. After reporting historical sexual abuse on February 2, 2025, and the roadblocks from the justice system every step of the way has led me to a PURPOSE in HELPING other SURVIVORS. 

The First Step: Reporting the Abuse

On February 2, 2025, I took the difficult step of reporting my historical sexual assault to the Amherst Police Department. I spoke with Constable John Haggerty and, later, his supervisor, Corporal McNair. From the start, I hoped my case would be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Instead, I quickly faced delays and a lack of communication.

My file (#250607) was opened, but the first update I received was nine months later, on November 9, 2025. This delay meant that crucial evidence and witness statements were not gathered promptly. Even after ten months, my first witness had not been called. These delays made me question whether the system was truly committed to pursuing justice.

Communication Breakdowns and Frustration

Trying to get updates on my case became a frustrating ordeal. I reached out to Constable Haggerty multiple times but often received no response. When he finally returned my call, it was at midnight, making it impossible to connect. Out of desperation, I contacted Corporal McNair, who returned my call days later but left only a voicemail as he was leaving the office.

I sent a detailed email to Corporal McNair outlining my concerns, including the failure to contact witnesses and properly handling evidence. Despite my efforts, progress remained slow, and I felt increasingly isolated in the process.  

Loss Evidence Challenges and Systemic Issues from the Amherst Police Department 

One of the most painful aspects of my case was the loss of paper-based evidence due to a flood in the late 1980s. This evidence was critical to proving the abuse I reported as a child. Shockingly, the defense was able to locate this evidence during the trial, while the prosecution struggled to present it.

This discrepancy highlights a systemic problem: survivors often face an uphill battle when evidence is missing or mishandled. The justice system’s reliance on outdated methods and poor record-keeping can undermine cases before they even reach court.

Lack of Support and Delayed Services from Victim Services

Victim support services are essential for healing, yet I experienced delays here as well. Nova Scotia Victim Services expedited my file for therapy in July 2025, but six months later, I was still waiting. Without timely access to therapy, I had to pay out of pocket, adding financial strain to an already difficult situation.

Support services should be accessible and prompt, especially for survivors navigating the trauma of sexual assault and the stress of legal proceedings.

The Trial Process and Feeling Minimized

The legal process moved quickly toward trial, with a plea hearing scheduled for November 3, 2025, and a preliminary hearing on December 3, 2025. Despite this, I met with the Crown prosecutor only five days before the trial, and still, witness statements were not on file.

During that meeting, the Crown minimized the seriousness of my case. I left feeling defeated and unheard, as if my experience was not worthy or too complicated for full attention or justice. This attitude discourages survivors from continuing to seek justice and erodes trust in the system.

The Weight of Being Heard from The Crown

After leaving the Crown Office, the feeling of defeat was overwhelming. The Crown prosecutor, Mary Ellen Nurse, did not fully read the statement I had provided. Instead, she focused on how complicated historical sexual assault cases are and cited statistics that only 1 in 30 such cases end in conviction. This was even though over 70 percent of sexual assaults are brought to light, so even higher numbers are not reported.  The emphasis on these numbers felt like a dismissal of my experience rather than an acknowledgment of the truth I shared, and helped me understand further why the Police did not fully investigate.

During the preliminary hearing, I was the only witness on the stand for two and a half hours. The Crown expressed a desire to dismiss the case, claiming I disclosed more information than was outlined in my statement. The Crown expressed a potential motive as I cried to her to listen to my story and my witnesses. Yet, everything I said had been clearly documented or discussed in prior meetings and on my 85-page statement. This contradiction left me confused and vulnerable, questioning whether my voice was truly being heard or respected.

The Impact of Support System Failures

Victim Services, a critical support resource, cancelled on me on the day of the trial. This absence added to the isolation and stress of navigating the legal process alone. The Crown then decided to move another preliminary hearing to March 5, 2026, to hear from my witnesses. This delay felt like another hurdle, prolonging the uncertainty and emotional strain.

The most shocking and heartbreaking moment came when I discovered through a Facebook post on January 13, 2026, that there had been a court hearing and the sexual assault case was WITHDRAWN. I had received no notification from the Crown, Victim Services, or the Amherst Police Department. After calling for eight hours, I still had no answers. This lack of communication and transparency compounded the sense of injustice and abandonment.

What Needs to Change

My experience is not unique. Many survivors face similar barriers that prevent justice and healing. To improve the system, several changes are necessary:

• Timely communication: Survivors deserve regular updates and clear communication from law enforcement and prosecutors.

• Proper evidence handling: Modernizing record-keeping and protecting evidence must be a priority to avoid lost or mishandled files.

• Accessible support services: Therapy and victim services should be available without long waits or financial burdens.

• Respectful treatment: Prosecutors and officials must treat survivors with dignity, taking their cases seriously from start to finish.

• Witness involvement: Promptly contacting and including witnesses strengthens cases and supports survivors’ stories.

  
  

Speaking Up for Change

Sharing my story is part of a larger effort to break the silence around sexual assault and the failures of the justice system. Survivors should not have to fight alone or feel dismissed. By raising awareness and demanding accountability, we can push for reforms that make the system more supportive.

Please help me share the awareness to help prevent others from hitting the same walls that I have as a collective. The outdated justice system needs change.

You're not alone

~Jenn