The woman at the center of the Major. Dany Fortin’s sexual assault trial told a court on Tuesday that she is certain the high-ranking military commander is the one who assaulted her in 1988. Fortin denies the allegation and has pleaded not guilty. Fortin’s attorney argued that there are inconsistencies between the woman’s interviews with investigators and her court testimony. The woman told the court that while she cannot remember if the attacker spoke to her during the alleged attack, she is certain of his identity. “I can assure you without a doubt that it was Dany Fortin standing over me masturbating with my hand,” the complainant testified Tuesday. “I looked him up. I knew the man. I spent 18 months with him going around day in and day out.” Defense attorney Isabel Schurman said she will vigorously challenge that identification. Fortin was removed from his job as head of vaccine distribution in Canada last year in response to a military police investigation. He was charged in 2021 with one count of sexual assault related to an incident that allegedly occurred more than three decades ago when he was a cadet at the Royal Military College in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. A court sketch of Lt.-Gen. Dany Fortin on the first day of his sexual assault trial in Gatineau, Que., on Sept. 19, 2022. (Lauren Foster-MacLeod/CBC) The two-day criminal trial began Monday in Gatineau, Quebec. Fortin wore his military uniform and medals for the civil court proceeding. His wife and daughter entered the courthouse with Fortin and sat in the front row. The court has issued a publication ban on any details that could identify the complainant. The complainant testified that she woke up in her barracks bed to find Fortin holding her hand over his genitals and using it to masturbate. The woman said Fortin had his other hand on her breast. She said that when she tried to pull her hand away, he did not initially stop and tightened his grip. The complainant testified that she was “terrified” and pushed him away saying “get off me, go away”. Fortin then pulled down his pants and left her room, she said. The woman testified Monday that Fortin never spoke during the alleged attack. On Tuesday, Schurman questioned why the complainant told an investigator last year that she recognized Fortin’s voice and his French accent during the incident. The defense on Monday cited statements made by the complainant in an earlier interview that the assailant moved to touch her vagina before pushing him away. The complainant testified Monday that the statement was not accurate and that she was under duress during that interview. The complaint said she has recurring visions of the alleged assault and Fortin “masturbating with my hand” on her. He said he doesn’t remember “100 per cent” what he did beyond masturbating because he was “in shock and panic”. “I can’t be sure 34 years later exactly where his hand went,” she said. The woman also said she is not sure if the assailant spoke. On Tuesday, the complainant’s roommate also testified at the time of the alleged attack. He confirmed that he did not recall hearing the alleged assault. The roommate said there was a partition in their barracks room, so she wouldn’t have been able to see her neighbor’s bed. The roommate also said she was a heavy sleeper and was constantly tired due to the physical demands of her student schedule. The roommate testified that she did not remember the complainant telling her about the alleged sexual assault. “I don’t remember,” said the former roommate. “I’m not saying it never happened.” The former roommate said her time at the military college was not a positive experience and that she “wanted to quit every day I was there.” “You were exposed to a lot of behavior that probably wasn’t appropriate,” the roommate said, adding that there was “a lot of partying.” “We were teenagers. Most of us couldn’t drink in most provinces. We were pushed to our personal limits…mentally, emotionally, physically, sexually. A lot of people probably never experienced things like that. I think there was a lot of inappropriate behavior in all aspects and most people just want to fit in.” Fortin is also challenging his removal from the vaccine campaign in Federal Court. That appeal is scheduled to be heard on October 5. WATCHES | Military commander accused of sexual assault says he’s living a ‘nightmare’:
Dany Fortin accused of sexual assault, says he’s living a ‘nightmare’
Maj. Gen. Dany Fortin speaks to the media outside a police station in Gatineau, Que., about a sexual assault charge he is facing. He has denied any wrongdoing. Support is available for anyone who has been sexually assaulted. You can access crisis lines and local support services through this Government of Canada website or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety or the safety of others around you, call 911.
