Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond: Court Case

Immigrant Family Dept: Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C.'s independent representative for children and youth, released a heartrending review of the 2010 court case on Wednesday, lamenting the fact that the alleged victim and her immigrant family were "effectively denied access to justice.", according to CTV. "It tells her that she didn't matter enough. And it must leave her confused about her safety in her new homeland." The provincial children's watchdog is calling on B.C. to rethink its priorities after translation delays led to charges being stayed for a refugee accused of sexually assaulting his teen daughter. "What message does this outcome give to a vulnerable youth who disclosed repeated physical and sexual abuse? Undeniably, it tells her that her allegations had insufficient priority for police and the Crown," Turpel-Lafond wrote. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.