In Alberta, a recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling in a case of historical sexual abuse is highlighting the required handling of sexual offenses against children by the courts. Paul Sheppard, who had been granted full parole, was ordered to surrender to authorities following a Crown appeal that reinstated his original six-year sentence for sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching, offenses committed against Steacy Easton in the early 1990s at a school in Genesee.
The Supreme Court’s decision, released on Friday, criticized the Alberta Court of Appeal’s reduction of Sheppard’s sentence and highlighted the issue of perpetuating “myths and stereotypes” about sexual abuse victims. Chief Justice Richard Wagner emphasized that victims should not be discredited for not confronting their abusers, as there is no standard behavior for survivors of sexual abuse.
The ruling also exposed Sheppard’s pattern of abusing children while in positions of power, a fact not previously disclosed during his trial or appeal. Easton, the victim, had successfully applied to lift the publication ban on their name in 2021, expressing gratitude for the correction but also frustration with the prolonged court process and lack of victim autonomy.
During the Supreme Court hearing, questions were raised about Sheppard’s criminal history, including past convictions for assault in the mid-1980s when he was a police officer. Despite these prior convictions, they were not disclosed during his 2021 trial. The court decisions noted his lack of a criminal record, but Parole Board of Canada documents did reference his previous convictions.
The Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights intervened in the Supreme Court case, criticizing misconceptions about sexual violence and emphasizing the gravity of historical sexual offenses against children. The court’s ruling aligned with the 2020 Friesen decision, directing that sentences for such offenses must be increased to ensure accountability and justice for survivors of sexual violence.
The Supreme Court’s decision was hailed as a step towards healing and accountability for survivors and children affected by sexual violence, acknowledging the lasting impact of such crimes on victims.