Connect with us

Canada News

Ex-RCMP member appeals, judge decries ‘plague’ of sexual violence against Inuit

Published

on

Mosesie Ikkidluak has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison, which went beyond what both the Crown and defence had asked for. (Samuel Wat/CBC via RCI)

By Samuel Wat · CBC News

Mosesie Ikkidluak was sentenced to 9 years in prison for sexual assault on June 24

WARNING: This story contains details of sexual assault.

A former Iqaluit RCMP special constable is appealing his conviction and sentence for sexual assault.

Mosesie Ikkidluak was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for three counts of sexual assault on June 24.

buy flagyl online https://bccrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/jpg/flagyl.html no prescription pharmacy

The first incidence happened in 2008 – then twice in 2021 when he was with the police force – all on the same victim while she was asleep.

The Crown and defence presented a joint proposal of a four-year sentence, which Nunavut Justice Paul Bychok called “out of whack” and “unhinged.”

“Both sentencing proposals reflect thoroughly discredited attitudes towards, and the shocking indifference to, the plague of sexual violence faced daily by Inuit women and girls,” he said.

The charges date from 2008 to Sept. 2021, while Ikkidluak was off-duty. (David Gunn/CBC)

He added both the Crown and defence lawyers used language when referring to Ikkidluak’s actions which minimizes the seriousness of the crime.

The victim, who cannot be identified due to a publication ban, read an impact statement over Zoom rather than in-person.

Bychok said the Crown did not inform the victim when the sentencing hearing was happening.

Mitigating factors not enough

Ikkidluak’s struggles with alcohol and intergenerational trauma were raised as mitigating factors during the sentencing, but Bychok shot those down.

He said there’s no evidence of his drinking being a significant issue in his other relationships, or his job.

As for systemic factors, he said Ikkidluak’s parents presented evidence of them shielding their children “from the direct sting of these harsh realities”.

His lawyer, Alison Crowe, read out letters from Ikkidluak’s family, including his common law spouse.

The Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit. (David Gunn/CBC)

“We have been struggling financially and mentally and I am fearful of how this sentencing will mentally impact my children.”

“In all the years we have been together, there has never been a time that I have felt uncomfortable or unsafe in his presence.”

During a hearing for Ikkidluak’s release on bail, pending the appeal, Crowe argued the judge should’ve considered the evidence of her witnesses, who can testify to the “effective obsession” the victim had with Ikkidluak.

His determination that “any expression of affection between the applicant and the accused was inadmissible, in my view, is far too broad,” she said.

Mosesie Ikkidluak is being kept at the Aaqqigiarvik Correctional Healing Facility while he waits to be sent to a federal prison. (Samuel Wat/CBC )

‘Institutional failure’ to address gendered violence ‘

Bychok also took aim at the “culture of acceptance of these heinous crimes” in Nunavut.

“This court must address the continuing institutional and systemic failure in Nunavut to treat gender-based sexual violence seriously,” he said.

He adds there is “an unwritten convention” of judges feeling constrained to go with sentences recommended by the counsel.

“Just as bad cases are said to make bad law, bad sentencing proposals contribute to bad sentencing precedents,” he said.

The hearing for Ikkidluak’s bail, while he awaits his appeal, is adjourned until next week.

buy trazodone online https://bccrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/jpg/trazodone.html no prescription pharmacy

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Maria in Vancouver

Lifestyle2 days ago

Nobody Wants This…IRL (In Real Life)

Just like everyone else who’s binged on Netflix series, “Nobody Wants This” — a romcom about a newly single rabbi...

Lifestyle1 week ago

Family Estrangement: Why It’s Okay

Family estrangement is the absence of a previously long-standing relationship between family members via emotional or physical distancing to the...

Lifestyle2 months ago

Becoming Your Best Version

By Matter Laurel-Zalko As a woman, I’m constantly evolving. I’m constantly changing towards my better version each year. Actually, I’m...

Lifestyle2 months ago

The True Power of Manifestation

I truly believe in the power of our imagination and that what we believe in our lives is an actual...

Maria in Vancouver3 months ago

DECORATE YOUR HOME 101

By Matte Laurel-Zalko Our home interiors are an insight into our brains and our hearts. It is our own collaboration...

Maria in Vancouver3 months ago

Guide to Planning a Wedding in 2 Months

By Matte Laurel-Zalko Are you recently engaged and find yourself in a bit of a pickle because you and your...

Maria in Vancouver4 months ago

Staying Cool and Stylish this Summer

By Matte Laurel-Zalko I couldn’t agree more when the great late Ella Fitzgerald sang “Summertime and the livin’ is easy.”...

Maria in Vancouver5 months ago

Ageing Gratefully and Joyfully

My 56th trip around the sun is just around the corner! Whew. Wow. Admittedly, I used to be afraid of...

Maria in Vancouver5 months ago

My Love Affair With Pearls

On March 18, 2023, my article, The Power of Pearls was published. In that article, I wrote about the history...

Maria in Vancouver6 months ago

7 Creative Ways to Propose!

Sometime in April 2022, my significant other gave me a heads up: he will be proposing to me on May...