A Dorval woman is 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, 31, testified that she only found out on her own that another woman had been 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.
Legault testified that in September 2014, her driver insisted she sit in the front seat. Legault testified he put his hand under her dress and began rubbing her inner thigh and at one point, leaned over and kissed her on the neck.
Legault said the groping went on for five minutes. She testified she was scared, frozen and didn't know how to react. She said after taking a picture of the driver's picture and badge, she told him to stop near her home at a bank where she withdrew cash to pay him and walked the rest of the way.
Legault testified she was surprised and upset Montreal police told her that her case was closed because there was "not enough evidence of not consenting."
Legault testified taxi bureau officials made her feel like a nuisance and didn't appear to take her complaint seriously.
Legault testified she also found out later that the driver was given a $172 ticket for discourteous service and found guilty.
Legault testified she filed the complaints and took the case to court because she assumed that she had done all she could to make sure the situation didn't happen to other women.
Legault said she discovered it was a more widespread problem, that authorities were aware women were being assaulted but that "nothing was being done to correct it."
Legault testified that it was "like a second assault" with "no level of protection by anyone."
"It seemed like assault didn't matter to governing bodies," said Legault.
Legault said the assault made her distrustful of men she didn't know. Legault, an architect, said that it was problematic when working on construction sites, calling it a handicap.
Legault is suing for $250,000.
The lawyers for the city of Montreal and the Quebec Transport Commission announced they won't be presenting a defence, paving the way for closing arguments.