Marathon trial continues for former Kitchener neurologist accused of sexual assault
Warning: This story includes a discussion of sexual assault.
The trial of a former Kitchener, Ont. neurologist, accused of inappropriately touching dozens of his female patients, has reached another standstill.
It’s now been almost three years since Jeffrey Sloka’s trial started.
Sloka is facing 50 charges of sexual assault and has plead not guilty to all of them.
His judge-only trial began in September 2021. Court has already heard testimony from Sloka’s former patients who visited his private neurology practice in the Kaufman Building at Grand River Hospital between January 2010 and July 2017. They described being inappropriately draped, or completely naked, during breast exams, vaginal exams and other procedures.
Last summer, Sloka took the stand in his own defense. He disagreed with the patient testimonies, denied some incidents ever happened or offered medical reasons why he performed certain exams.
“Disturbing” case
The executive director of the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region said they’ve been following Sloka’s case and call it “disturbing” – adding that health providers need to be held to a higher standard.
“Considering that people are coming [in], they're feeling vulnerable, they're feeling sick, they're feeling worried. Then to be in a place that they're supposed to be getting care, and instead they're harmed, is such an incredible violation,” Sara Casselman said.
She hopes Sloka’s trial wraps up soon – for the sake of the victims.
“I know originally there were 63 survivors involved in this case and, undoubtedly, it's had a significant impact on them. It would be like a wound that's just kept open for a long time,” Casselman explained.
Sloka originally pleaded not guilty to 63 counts of sexual assault but some of those charges have since been dropped.
Another delay
Oral and written submissions were expected this summer but that’s no longer the case.
According to Sloka’s defence lawyer, the trial has been adjourned until November. Seven days have been set aside for final arguments.
The Crown, his lawyer explained, was late in getting their written argument to the defence – which came in at approximately 1,750 pages.
The defence then said they needed time to prepare a comprehensive written response, which they expect to file by the end of this summer.
Lawyer’s reaction
Ari Goldkind, a criminal defence lawyer who isn’t involved in Sloka’s case, calls it a marathon trial.
“Two or three years to do a trial is, in my opinion, very long, unusually long. But given the skill of the lawyers involved here, given the nature of the charges, given the fact that a judge oversees everything, if he is not satisfied with what's happening, rest assured the lawyers will hear it.”
Goldkind said closing submissions are one of the most important parts of a trial.
“When you have written materials as a lawyer, whether you're a Crown or defense, you're hoping that the judge you're in front of adopts or takes to heart a lot of the words that you're writing, that they find their way into the court's judgment,” Goldkind explained.
The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region said, they’re hoping the trial wraps up as soon as possible.
If you are a victim of sexual assault, help is available. The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region's 24-hour support line can be reached at 519-741-8633.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6953874.1720232402!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Protesters smash windows at McGill University; police use tear gas to disperse crowd
Montreal police deployed tear gas as they dispersed a crowd of protesters participating in a pro-Palestinian demonstration after members of the group smashed windows at McGill University Friday evening.
Biden rejects independent medical evaluation in ABC interview as he fights to stay in race
U.S. President Joe Biden, fighting to save his endangered reelection effort, used a highly anticipated TV interview Friday to repeatedly reject taking an independent medical evaluation that would show voters he is up for serving another term in office while blaming his disastrous debate performance on a 'bad episode' and saying there were 'no indications of any serious condition.'
Canada beat Venezuela on penalties to reach Copa America semifinals
Canada claimed a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Venezuela on Friday to reach the Copa America semifinals for the first time after an absorbing contest finished 1-1.
Owe money for CERB? Here's how the CRA is getting it back
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) may face some hurdles in collecting the money loaned through COVID-19 pandemic relief programs, like the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), according to a tax lawyer.
Stay away from hogweed: What you need to know about these pesky and dangerous plants
Hogweed is harmful to humans and, experts say, the invasive species has become a growing problem in southern Ontario.
N.B. man denied flight due to tear in passport’s seam
What seemed to be a minor passport issue turned into a major problem for a New Brunswick man who was denied a boarding pass from Air Canada.
Earth's core has slowed so much it's moving backward, scientists confirm. Here's what it could mean
Deep inside Earth is a solid metal ball that rotates independently of our spinning planet, like a top whirling around inside a bigger top, shrouded in mystery.
Summer jobs could prove tough to come by for students, according to latest job stats
Statistics Canada’s latest jobs report shows youth unemployment reached a near decade high.
Ottawa woman, 49, wins $70 million, plans to help community
An Ottawa woman, who has survived cancer and has overcome addiction, has won $70 million with Lotto Max.