Former Iqaluit RCMP member appeals sentence, as judge decries 'plague' of sexual violence against Inuit
CBC
WARNING: This story contains details of sexual assault.
A former Iqaluit RCMP special constable is appealing his sentence for sexual assault, which went beyond what both the crown and defence had asked for.
Mosesie Ikkidluak has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for three counts of sexual assault.
It first happened in 2008 – then twice in 2021 when he was with the police force – all on the same victim while she was asleep.
The Crown and defence presented a joint proposal of a four-year sentence, which Nunavut Justice Paul Bychok called "out of whack" and "unhinged."
"Both sentencing proposals reflect thoroughly discredited attitudes towards, and the shocking indifference to, the plague of sexual violence faced daily by Inuit women and girls," he said.
He added both the Crown and defence lawyers used language when referring to Ikkidluak's actions which minimizes the seriousness of the crime.
The victim, who cannot be identified due to a publication ban, read an impact statement over Zoom rather than in-person.
Bychok said the Crown did not inform the victim when the sentencing hearing was happening.
Ikkidluak's struggles with alcohol and intergenerational trauma were raised as mitigating factors, but Bychok shot those down.
He said there's no evidence of his drinking being a significant issue in his other relationships, or his job.
As for systemic factors, he said Ikkidluak's parents presented evidence of them shielding their children "from the direct sting of these harsh realities".
His lawyer, Alison Crowe, read out letters from Ikkidluak's family, including his common law spouse.
"We have been struggling financially and mentally and I am fearful of how this sentencing will mentally impact my children."
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