A Quebec Superior Court judge has dismissed the lawsuit of a Dorval woman who was suing the Montreal Taxi Bureau, Montreal police and the Quebec Transport Commission alleging they mishandled her complaint claiming she was sexually assaulted by a taxi driver in 2014 and that they didn't do anything to address the problem of such assaults.
Marie-Anne Legault sued for $250,000 alleging the city and the commission could have done more to prevent such assaults.
Justice Michel Déziel dismissed all of Legault's arguments alleging negligence and complacence, saying the city of Montreal and the Quebec Transport Commission did not fail in their obligations.
"The city of Montreal is using these arguments to justify their inaction," said Gabrielle Bouchard, president of the Quebec's Women's Federation, who has been following the case.
"The justice system failed that survivor."
Shuyee Lee/CJAD 800 NEWS
In a story CJAD 800 News first brought to you last month, Legault had testified that she only found out on her own that another woman had been allegedly assaulted by the same driver and about an increase in the number of sexual assaults in Montreal taxis by cabbies at the time.
CJAD 800 News reported in February 2015 that 12 sexual assaults were on the books for 2012, 33 reported in 2013, and 27 in 2014.
Montreal police said at the time that they didn't warn the public because the number of incidents was considered low.
The city had also argued in court that unfortunately the alleged incident could have happened even if preventive measures were in place.
"It's insulting our intelligence when someone gives an answer like that," said Bouchard in an interview with CJAD 800 News.
"The message that this particular case sends is, it's business as usual."
But Bouchard urges sex assault survivors to speak out - whether in court or via social media.
"Please don`t stay quiet. Reach out to organizations. Reach out to women's organizations. Use the MeToo movement and the MeToo hastag to share your experience,"said Bouchard.
"Denunciation for me is definitely something that still has to be considered important because it is a game changer."