The judge who made headlines after controversial comments during a sexual assault trial was expected to take the stand Thursday during his own judicial hearing. However the third day of the inquiry was centered instead on witnesses.
Camp’s judicial abilities are in question after he asked a sex assault complainant in 2014 whether she could have kept her knees together. The woman told the panel Wednesday Camp’s comments made her contemplate suicide.
University of Calgary law professor Brenda Cossman said Thursday she believes Camp is aware he made a mistake but he does not appreciate how his mistakes were a reflection of the history behind the evolution of sexual assault laws. Cossman indicated Camp did not know that historically the victims of sexual assault have been discriminated against in the court system.
It has been revealed through the hearing Camp had limited experience presiding over sexual assault trials.
Camp’s lawyer argued on the first day of the hearing that many judges have made offensive comments pertaining to other victims and they have not been removed from the bench.
The sole protester at the hearing Thursday, told Global News she is a sex assault survivor and feels judges should be held to a higher standard. Jessica Daigle thinks the onus is on Camp to step down of his own volition.
“He should do the respectable thing, the ethical thing, and the professional thing. Take it, acknowledge it and say ‘you know what’ I failed the public in my role and it’s time for me to step down,” said Daigle.
Justice Robin Camp will address the panel Friday.
With files from Jill Croteau
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