Canadian military member faces unprecedented prosecution for alleged sexual assault at CFB Borden
Warning: Readers may find some content in this article disturbing or triggering.
An unprecedented prosecution is underway in Barrie criminal court against an active member of the Canadian military accused of sexually assaulting a female soldier while at Canadian Forces Base Borden in 2018.
"It happened so damn quickly that, you know, you don't even have time to think," the complainant told military police in a 2018 interview.
The woman had a publication ban on her identification lifted, still, CTV News will not be naming her at this time.
The complainant says she was in a common room unwinding and headed up to her room when Oleksii Silin, whom she considered a colleague, pulled her into a broom closet, confined her and sexually assaulted her in May 2018.
"I just turned my back on him, and I just bent over, and I said, okay, let him finish, and I'm out of here. So, I just gave up," she said during the 2018 interview with military police.
She told investigators she felt helpless and feared for her safety.
"He's a lot stronger than me, so I wasn't even going to try to attempt to fight," she said.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Silin, ranking as a private in May 2018, was interviewed by investigators from the military police, telling them his accuser told him she wanted to go to sleep, "and then I take her hand and just maybe that's why like force."
"And after that, I like kissed her and she didn't say nothing," he added.
The Judge Advocate General did not follow through with the charges and cited a lack of training by those who conducted the interviews with Silin and his accuser.
Further to efforts by the complainant, who was seeking leave to prosecute Silin privately in civilian criminal court, the Ontario Crown has indicted Silin.
She says the military justice system has failed her and countless others whose reports of sexual assault and misconduct in the military have been brushed aside.
Silin, who is awaiting trial, is an active member of the Canadian Armed Forces and ranks as a corporal. The Canadian Armed Forces confirmed to CTV News Cpl. Oleksii Silin is a vehicle technician at 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment in the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown.
Toronto lawyer Mitchell Worsoff represents him. The accused makes his next court appearance later this month.
The allegations against him have not been tested in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race, endorses Kamala Harris to be Democratic nominee
U.S. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for re-election after doubts were raised about his fitness for office. Soon after, he endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to take his place in the November election.
Justin Trudeau reacts to Joe Biden announcing he won't run for re-election
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the news that U.S. President Joe Biden won’t run for re-election Sunday, calling Biden a 'true friend.'
Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Here's how that might work
With U.S. President Joe Biden ending his re-election bid and endorsing Vice-President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year.
The pilot who died in crash after releasing skydivers near Niagara Falls has been identified
NEW YORK (AP) — Officials on Sunday released the name of a pilot who died in a skydiving flight after her passengers jumped from the aircraft near the Niagara Falls.
Woman found dead in the water near Sunset Beach: Vancouver police
Investigators were at Vancouver’s Sunset Beach after a woman’s body was found in the water Sunday morning, according to authorities.
Ottawa man waiting nearly a year for car to be fixed at Acura dealership
An Ottawa man says he’s been waiting nearly a year for his car to be repaired after it was damaged during a storm in August.
Canadian musicians struggle to get visas to perform in the U.S., some cancel shows
Backlogs and processing delays of temporary U.S. visas required by entertainers, athletes and artists has forced some Canadian bands to cancel U.S. tour dates because paperwork wasn't processed in time.
Joy in Newfoundland after 'Lucky 7' fishers survive harrowing days lost at sea
There was a powerful word being repeated in the joyful Newfoundland community of New-Wes-Valley on Sunday: 'Miracle.'
A Florida woman was killed 24 years ago. DNA evidence just helped police make an arrest in the cold case
A Florida woman’s brutal killing nearly 25 years ago may finally be solved after authorities arrested the suspect this week, according to the Sanford Police Department.