More witnesses testify at Regina-area chiropractor's sexual assault trial
Jeffery Tram, Jeremy Warren | CBC News | Posted: November 18, 2024 7:08 PM | Last Updated: November 18
Ruben Manz accused of sexually assaulting 7 women who were his patients
The trial of Ruben Manz entered its third week with more testimony from women accusing the Regina-area chiropractor of sexual assault.
Manz is the Emerald Park chiropractor accused of sexually assaulting seven women between 2010 and 2020 while they were under his care. The complainants cannot be identified due to a publication ban.
On Monday morning, the trial continued with testimony from a 30-year-old woman who recounted her experience with Manz for the jury.
The witness said she went to Manz in 2017 to address back pains. She testified that over the course of multiple appointments, Manz would slowly lower his hand toward her breast while performing neck stretches. She said during her final appointments, he was "grabbing skin to reach toward her breast."
She reported the incident to police years later, after her ex-boyfriend shared a post about Manz on Facebook. She said she regrets not reporting her experience right away.
As with previous witnesses, Manz's defence lawyer questioned her recollection of the details of her story. Other witnesses have been asked in cross-examination about the clothing they wore during the incidents.
The final complainant for the Crown is expected to speak Tuesday. The trial is set to run until Nov. 29.
Earlier this month, a 47-year-old woman told the jury she was seeing Manz in 2011 to treat upper body pain when he reached into her bra and grabbed her breast without her consent during an appointment.
The woman said she reported Manz to a chiropractors' association the next day. She went to police in 2021 after reading a news report about criminal charges against Manz.
It's not unusual for victims to wait long periods before reporting a sexual assault, said Reagan Conway, executive director of the Saskatoon Sexual Assault and Information Centre.
"People might not even realize that what has happened to them is a sexual assault or a form of sexualized violence until they have a conversation with somebody else or a news article comes out and then there's a realization that what happened to them is wrong," Conway said.
Conway said survivors can find it difficult to come forward for a variety of reasons.
"A lot of it is related to fear. So whether it's fear of not being believed, fear of any retribution … fear of how people will treat you," Conway said.
"There's also a fear of how the police will respond to you when you do come forward. And then there's the fear of being ostracized or being judged."
In court cases, survivors who testify are often cross-examined by the defence and asked about the clothing they wore during the assault. Conway said the type or amount of clothing one wears shouldn't factor into court cases.
"No matter what somebody is wearing or where they are walking or what they are doing, it does not give justification for somebody to sexually assault them," Conway said.
"Commenting on somebody's clothes as a reason why they are sexually assaulted is obviously very wrong and judgmental and also explains why people don't want to come forward. Nobody should be blamed for being sexually assaulted, no matter what they're doing or what they're wearing."
In other testimony, a 50-year-old woman testified that at her last appointment with Manz, one of his hands was inside her shirt while his other hand was pulling her head to one side. She said his pinky finger went underneath her bra and she felt her breast lift.
The defence challenged that witness's recollection of events and her understanding of how chiropractic practices work. They also asked the witness why it took her until April 2021 to finally report to police.
"I wasn't sure if it was inappropriate, I just know it made me feel uncomfortable," she said.
For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.