Victims advocates say lengthy sexual assault investigations not unusual after former UBC athletes charged
Sexual assault charges against three former UBC athletes are now making their way through the court system, more than two years after the initial complaint to police.
Former UBC Thunderbird football players 24-year-old Ben Cummings, 25-year-old Trivel Pinto, and 26-year-old Treymont Levy are charged with sexual assault. Levy also faces an additional charge of voyeurism.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
UBC RCMP said they received a 911 call on Nov. 5, 2018 from a woman who reported being assaulted by three men at a residence on Acadia Road in Vancouver.
“The University RCMP immediately launched an investigation and sought assistance and expertise from the BC RCMP Major Crime Section (MCS), who took conduct of the investigation” the RCMP said in a news release.
Victims advocate Hilla Kerner told CTV News it’s not unusual for sexual assault investigations to take years.
“We believe that its a matter of priority,” Kerner said. “For many young victims, they put their lives on hold for years until the criminal justice system responds and acts and there is a trial.”
Kerner says in her experience, charges often do not result from such investigations.
Last year, the mother of a young woman who reported being raped at a UBC frat party in 2018 spoke out after the Crown decided not to lay charges.
“Unfortunately, most cases will never result in charges,” Kerner said. “In British Columbia, we have a particular problem of a very high threshold. The prosecutor will only take cases that they’re confident that they will get a conviction.”
The B.C. Prosecution Service said the standard to approve charges was not met on that file. Kerner said the case was reviewed by Crown again, but they reached the same conclusion.
The case involving the former UBC football players returns to Richmond provincial court June 16.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.