The sexual assault to which the teacher pleaded guilty Friday at the Sherbrooke Courthouse was committed on a night in July 2022. Leblanc then showed up at a party with a friend. Since the defendant was no longer able to drive, the two people asked the host for permission to sleep there, which was accepted. However, there was only one bed available for both of them.
“They agree to sleep in the same bed as long as everyone respects each other’s sides,” said Leblanc’s lawyer Me Léa Perron.
The complainant went to bed before the accused. “Later he will go up and lie on his side. Things are blurry in Mr. Leblanc’s mind at this moment due to his advanced state of intoxication. He remembers that at some point he will turn around and realize that his hand is at chest level. [la plaignante] », Me Perron explained in court, pointing out that his client was “unable to take appropriate measures to ensure the consent of [la victime] “.
However, prosecutor Véronick Harvey said the complainant, whose identity was protected by a publication ban, felt her attacker’s hand touch her chest and stomach and that he tried to reach his Putting his hand in his pants.
When announcing the verdict, Judge Benoit Gagnon took the defendant’s profession into account. “He is a full-time teacher at a secondary school, is very involved and helps with homework. He’s a football coach,” Leblanc’s lawyer listed.
“You have a better future than appearing in court,” the judge said. As a society we need a teacher. So it’s not up to me to be the authority on whether you’re a good teacher or not. I’ll leave that to the school authorities,” he commented before endorsing the defense and Crown’s joint proposal.
The complainant did not address the court on Friday. “She does not want to [Leblanc] has longer term consequences, she wants him to understand that it had an impact on her and she doesn’t want him to repeat those actions with anyone else. But she wants him to have a chance to get back on his feet and continue his work as a teacher,” Mr. Harvey described.
Took from
In a telephone interview with La Tribune on Friday afternoon, Sherbrooke Region School Service Center (CSSRS) General Secretary and Director of Communications Donald Landry confirmed that Leblanc has been relieved of his duties as principal, teacher and volunteer for an indefinite period.
“We will be releasing him from work while we evaluate the entire situation and make our decisions. »
–Donald Landry
The CSSRS did not know the legal situation of its employee. “If we find ourselves in a situation that affects students, minors or the school, we are always in contact with the police. Since his situation does not concern students or minors, we have not had any contact with the police, so the situation is different,” said the director, who will read out the public documents and the verdict.
La Tribune tried unsuccessfully to contact the Estrie Education Union on Sunday to discuss its position on the matter.
Social problem
Leblanc’s actions are unacceptable, says Judge Gagnon. “I have to admit that the sexual assault of a partner, a friend, under the circumstances described to me is a particularly serious act,” he assured. Touching a drunk friend on the chest or stomach, whether you are or not, has little meaning for me. »
And this aggression is part of a social problem, he says. “The complainant does not need to know that she is at risk. And that is exactly the problem in our society. Any woman can be at risk of being attacked by a friend while she is drunk. Such a thing cannot happen in a developed society like ours! » chanted Judge Gagnon, appreciating that “our society is based on the equality of the sexes.”
The judge acknowledges that “when it comes to sexual assault, there are more serious acts.” “I understand it, but for the victim that day it was an act that was so serious that she felt the need to report it,” he said, praising the victims’ “obstacle course.”
The judge wants to send a message to other young men who may be sleeping in the same bed as a friend. “If they do the irretrievable, they will face significant consequences,” he warned.
Conditions
Leblanc must fulfill several conditions during his two-year probation. Among other things, he must complete follow-up evaluations for his drug addiction, cannot contact the victim, must perform 120 hours of community service and donate $1,800 to the Crime Victims Assistance Center (CAVAC). ).
He already completed several hours of community service at his school last year while his case was pending. The CSSRS is not aware of the motives of the volunteer teachers.
He must also be on the sex offenders register for 10 years.
In addition, “psychological support will be offered to students or staff who need it,” confirms the CSSRS in a letter sent to parents.