The case of Osian, the young rape victim who fought to prevent her attacker from claiming paternity of the child as a result of his assault, was back in court Wednesday in Shawinigan.
In a closed room, Ossian had to rewrite her haunting memories. In 2019, a 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by her roommate.
Her attacker pleaded guilty and served a sentence. His name has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. But as of Wednesday, prosecutors had not been notified that the young man had been released from prison. He was sequestered in another room of the court so that the victim would not meet him.
“For such a young woman, the calmness and serenity with which she testifies with what she’s been through, it’s very impressive,” commented Ocean’s lawyer, Mee Jean Maxime Lebrun.
Ossian’s assailant wanted to acknowledge his paternity. Nothing in the law prevents it.
Osian was forced to take a DNA test on his son. But as of this summer, Quebec’s civil code has been overhauled. A new law addresses the denial of affiliation.
Meanwhile, Océane’s assailant has withdrawn his paternity claim, but Océane’s lawyers, who served as his advocate in the case, want to prevent him from making any other claims in the case.
Oceane hopes to turn the page soon. A verdict is expected in the coming weeks.
