Two women who testified against Jeffrey Sloka say they support an appeal of his acquittal. Sloka, a former neurologist who worked in Kitchener, Ont., was found not guilty of 48 counts of sexual assault by Justice Craig Parry in April after a trial that spanned four-and-a-half years. The complainants in the case were all female patients who were seen at Sloka’s urgent neurology clinic between 2010 and 2017. They said Sloka examined their breasts, vaginas or other intimate areas during appointments made for neurological concerns. In his 1,002-page decision, Parry wrote that he was satisfied there were valid medical reasons for the examinations. The names of Sloka’s accusers cannot be released due to a publication ban. “Have hope that justice will actually be served” The Crown has filed a notice of appeal as part of a process to ask the court to set aside the acquittals and order a new trial. “I was absolutely hoping for an appeal and am grateful that the Crown is going forward with this,” one of the complainants told CTV News on Wednesday. “This appeal makes sense given this verdict because it doesn’t make sense that not a single one of us were believed.” “Though I am weary of having to be involved in this court system further, I couldn’t be more thankful that Judge Parry will be called on his harmful behaviour and have hope that justice will actually be served,” she said. Another complainant described her experience testifying during the court proceedings as “dehumanizing and traumatizing.” She said the trial ended with a “nonsense verdict.” She told CTV News she spent two days on the stand. During that time, she said she answered questions about what she remembered about what described as “tiny details.” She said the complainants were given legal advice by a private lawyer after the verdict was delivered. They were told not to speak directly with each other in case an appeal was filed. “This appeal is robbing us of the ability to truly connect and start our healing journey,” she said. Still, she supports the decision to appeal. “The appeal is causing pain, heartbreak, renewed anger and delayed healing. But yes, I was hoping for it. I would go through this a million times over if it means the chance of improving this dreadfully broken system for little girls everywhere.” Sloka’s lawyer, David Humphrey, has said Sloka is disappointed with the decision to appeal.
