Former MP Romeo Saganash referred to restorative justice program
Move follows sexual assault charge in June
Former MP Romeo Saganash is entering a restorative justice program in Manitoba after being charged with sexual assault in June. (File photo)
Former MP Romeo Saganash is taking part in a restorative justice program after he was charged with sexual assault earlier this year.
Saganash, who represented the riding of Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou from 2011 to 2019, was charged with sexual assault in June in Winnipeg.
A spokesperson for the Manitoba government said on Nov. 3 that Saganash has been referred to the Manitoba Restorative Justice Centre, which has accepted him and placed him in programming.
Restorative justice is an approach to crime that is intended to reduce delays in the court system and reliance on incarceration, according to the Province of Manitoba.
It “puts the emphasis on the wrong done to individuals and communities, and focuses on ‘restoring’ relationships, fixing the damage that has been done and preventing more crimes from occurring,” states the webpage.
Referrals to restorative justice can happen at any point along the court process and can, but doesn’t always, result in a charge being diverted.
Saganash’s charge remains before the court, Aimee Fortier, a spokesperson for Manitoba Courts, said in an email. Saganash’s next court date is an administrative appearance on Dec. 15.
His lawyer, Ethan Pollock, said he could not comment on the case.
Earlier this year, complainant Carmen Roy spoke out about her alleged experience.
“I don’t want to be silent, and I think it is important to use my voice to help other victims of sexual trauma,” she said in a statement released through her lawyer.
Roy’s lawyer Kathryn Marshall also declined comment.
Misogyny is off the charts among male indigenous leaders.
Yep, and they suffer very few consequences for it, too. Indigenous privilege is real for the perps, but not so much for the victims.
there is misogyny in every aspect of government. pointing just to indigenous leaders is misdirecting
In general to access a restorative justice approach, both the offender and the alleged victim must agree to the process and the offender must accept responsibility for the incident. Important also to remember the offense of sexual assault includes anything from an inappropriate touching to rape but the Crown has the option of electing to prosecute the matter as a summary conviction (less serious offence). We don’t know what the facts are in this matter but we know though that a restorative justice approach is way more efficient than a jail sentence to reduce the likelihood of recidivism and people going through this process are twice less likely to reoffend than someone sent to jail.