Sloka Trial Verdict

The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASC) is reaching out to survivors across our community today. 
 
Today’s verdict in the Sloka trial is deeply upsetting for many survivors in our community. We know this ruling will bring up a range of emotions including anger, grief, confusion, disbelief, or something harder to name. There is no right way to feel.  
 
For those who were directly impacted, for those who have lived through similar experiences, and for anyone who has been carrying the weight of this case, please know: you are not alone. 

This trial has been one of the largest sexual assault cases in Waterloo Region’s history, involving close to 70 women and, at its peak, more than 70 charges. By the end of the trial, the court considered 48 accounts of sexual assault from 48 women, following pre-trial rulings and dismissals. 

This has been a long, arduous journey for many women and their families in our community. In 2017, patients began coming forward publicly to regulators. In 2018, police began an investigation. Sloka was stripped of his licence in 2019. The trial stretched from 2021 to 2025.  
Survivors have waited years for this moment. That kind of wait is not neutral. It takes a toll. 
A not-guilty verdict at this stage is profoundly difficult. For many, it will feel like a denial of what they experienced and a reflection of a system that was not able to hold the harm they brought forward. 

We must be clear. Our criminal justice system does not consistently deliver justice for survivors of sexual violence. Only 6% of survivors report to police. Of the cases brought forward, only a portion result in charges and about 10% lead to conviction. Survivors are asked to navigate complex, lengthy, and re-traumatizing processes with odds being that the outcome will not reflect their experiences. 

When survivors come forward (especially in a case of this scale), it reflects extraordinary courage. Survivors deserve better than a system that requires exceptional resilience to be heard, and that so often falls short of meaningful accountability. 

This case involves another layer because the assaults happened within the context of a physician/patient relationship. Sexual assault by a physician is a profound abuse of power. Patients seek care in moments of vulnerability. They trust their doctors with their bodies, their health, and their safety. When that trust is violated, the harm goes far beyond the individual acts. It can shape a person’s relationship to healthcare for years, sometimes for life. 

As with many high-profile cases, we’ve seen harmful myths about sexual violence surface in dialogue about this trial; they can silence survivors and distort public understanding. 

Let’s be clear: 

• A “not guilty” verdict does not mean that harm did not occur, and it does not mean that the accused is innocent.  

• Sexual assault is not about miscommunication. It is about power and control and it’s a violation of consent, the law, the victim’s sexual integrity, and in this case, ethical boundaries. 

• Survivors respond in many ways. There’s no “right” way for a survivor to respond to sexual violence. Continuing to attend appointments, not reporting right away, or questioning what happened are all common and understandable responses.  

• Delayed disclosure is the norm, not the exception, especially when the person who caused harm was in a position of authority. 

• Survivors may spend time second-guessing themselves; they might wonder if it was “serious enough” or if they’re somehow to blame. These responses are common, especially when the person who caused harm is a trusted professional. This self-doubt is shaped by a culture that teaches women to question their own instincts, defer to authority, and carry responsibility for the harm done to them.  

To survivors in this case: We’re so sorry this happened. We are here with you today and in the days and months ahead. You deserve support and care. You don’t have to carry this alone. 

• Our 24-Hour Support Line (519-741-8633) is available to you, any time of the day or night. 

• You can access free, confidential counselling at SASC. 

We’ll also be holding an intimate gathering, Healing Together: Addressing the Impacts of the Sloka Trial, on May 1st at our centre. This will be a space for those impacted by the trial to come together, reflect, and access support in community. To register, click here. 
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To our broader community: How we respond in moments like these matters. Believe survivors. Challenge harmful myths. Be part of building a community where sexual violence is taken seriously and addressed with care.