A 32-year-old woman who was allegedly raped by three friends during a party in Granby in June 2020 bravely testified in court about the shock her night of horror caused.
• Also read: Sexual abuse 40 years ago: Ex-star figure skating coach sent to prison
• Also read: Accused of raping two sisters: A Montreal man was acquitted while on the run
• Also read: Two young girls from the DPJ sexually abused in foster families: After the father, the son is also accused
“I was disoriented,” the victim testified, with a service dog at his side. I was like a child without his parents, lost at the airport.”
“It should never have happened that someone touched me without asking my permission,” emphasized the woman, whose identity is being protected by the court.
In the Granby Courthouse courtroom, an imposing screen blocked any visual contact between the victim and James Suarez-Cabrera, Naeem Rasouli and Nilson Lozano-Lozada, who are accused of sexual assault in the case.
The trial of men aged 35 to 42 begins this week before a jury of 10 men and four women.
On Tuesday, the victim delved confidently into the events of the evening of June 6, 2020.
James Suarez Cabrera, defendant PHOTO AGENCY QMI, MAXIME DELAND
Loss of control
After a few drinks at a friend’s party: “I was still in good spirits, everything was fine,” she described during questioning by the Crown.
When she returned from a trip to the supermarket where she fell, “it quickly got worse.”
The 30-year-old later found herself in a vehicle and regained consciousness in Naeem Rasouli’s house.
The three defendants are all said to have taken advantage of the young woman’s intoxicated state on a sofa bed in the basement.
At various times, Nilson Lozano-Lozada is said to have touched and penetrated her.
“I didn’t understand, I wasn’t feeling well,” said the woman, who at least didn’t take drugs by choice, that evening. I didn’t know what I was doing there.”
James Suarez-Cabrera would have been the second to attack the young woman, who was then “disturbed”. “He finished what he had to do and left,” she explained.
Nilson Lozano Lozada, defendant PHOTO AGENCY QMI, MAXIME DELAND
Like an object
Naeem Rasouli feigned a relationship with the other two men and also began touching the private parts of the victim, who rejected his advances.
“I felt like an object.”
In the hours following the ordeal, the complainant was overwhelmed by a cocktail of emotions.
“I told myself that it was my fault and that it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t gone there. […] Today, after three and a half years, the perception is no longer the same […]”, She said.
My Valérie Simard-Croteau and Karyne Goulet argue for the prosecutor. My Anne Tétreault, Julie Lepage and Robert Jodoin represent the defendants.
The trial, which has been taking place throughout the month, continues tomorrow in Granby.
Can you share information about this story?
Write to us or call us directly at 1 800-63SCOOP.