Canada's Supreme Court says extreme intoxication is an excuse for violent crimes

 Canada's Supreme Court says extreme intoxication is an excuse for violent crimes 

  Summary

      Canada's Supreme Court issued a major decision saying that extreme intoxication can be used as an excuse for very violent crimes including assault and sexual assault. This means that if someone drinks or consumes a lot of substances at once and then commits a violent act, they can use their extreme intoxication as a dismissal of their actions. However legally, "under Section 33.1 of the Criminal Code, extreme intoxication — formally known as non-insane automatism — cannot be used as a defence in criminal cases where the accused voluntarily ingested the intoxicating substance."  Many people express their concerns about this decision being finalized as it puts women in our society at extreme risks. Many women support this claim because many have come forward and said that since this has come into existence, they feel very unsafe. “Protecting the victims of violent crime — particularly in light of the equality and dignity interests of women and children who are vulnerable to intoxicated sexual and domestic violence — is a pressing and substantial social purpose.” - Kasirer The court system following this decision are trying to determine the line between intoxicated and "extremely intoxicated." Which follows the decision of where the court system draws the line for sexual assault and where it can be "excused" because of this law.

My opinion 

    Personally I think this new law is not only in a complete violation of women's rights, but as a women it is also completely and utterly terrifying. If you are a rapist drunk, you are a rapist. This new law puts women at a extreme risk and completely invalidates certain women who's assaulter was drunk when he committed the offence. This was such a disappointing thing to hear, I am truly so devastated. Many people that I've had conversation with about this topic claim that this law is more meant for people with major addiction issues who are truly and honestly not in their right mind when they commit a violent act like assault. I do believe that to be true, however, I do think this new law still gives an opportunity and loophole for some other individuals who commit a violent act like assault a loophole for a lesser punishment. I do see both sides, but especially as a women living in Canada this law upsets me deeply and I can't help but feel a little bit unsafe now, in my own country. 

Title of article: 

Canada's top court says voluntary extreme intoxication a defence in violent crimes 

Date of article: 

May 13th, 2022 

Page number: 

Page 1  

Author of article: 

Amanda Connolly 

Link: 

https://globalnews.ca/news/8832723/supreme-court-canada-extreme-intoxication/        

 

 

Spain debates if five-day menstrual leave policy will help or hurt

 Spain debates if five-day menstrual leave policy will help or hurt 

  Summary

     A leak from the Spanish cabinet came out saying that they may allows anyone who is experiencing extreme menstrual cramps five days of leave. It is not clear whether that leave would be paid or not or if the hours would be flexible and then the worker would have to make up those hours yet. This topic since the leak has been one that the entire country has been talking about, and been debating. It's something that has sparked a lot of conversation, and many people disagree with it. Jose Luis Escriva, Spain's minister for inclusion migration and social security is saying that the contents in the leak are not becoming official and it was just a draft of the idea and that it is still "under discussion." People who suggested the bill are making it very clear what constitutes itself as a cramp. Angela Rodriguez, Spain's Secretary of state for equality says “It's important to be clear about what we mean by painful period, we're not talking about a slight discomfort, but about serious symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and bad headaches.” A handful of companies across Europe has adapted these period policies, as well as many other countries, including Japan and South Korea. One of Spain's major leaders panned the draft saying "it could lead to women facing workplace discrimination." Many other people involved in this case are saying that “If we men had periods, this leave would have come decades ago. That is the problem,” - Ínigo Errejon. Many predict that this is long overdue, and once Spain puts the bill in motion, many other countries will follow in their footsteps. 

My opinion 

    In my opinion, I think this is something that is long overdue. Women all over the world struggle with periods, and what comes along with them. Many men I think are unaware of how much things like cramps hurt. I do agree with Anigo Erreion when they said that if men had periods this act would of been enforced ages ago. Men are the dominant group in society and have been for years, if this happened to men I wouldn't doubt for a second that this solution would be available to them. Women's period pain is very often discredited because women have always been viewed as "emotional" and "irrational" by society for decades. I even know from personal experience that women are dismissed regarding periods almost daily. However, I think this is a step in the right direction. I think that the leave should be paid because the women's period pain is not their fault and it is unavoidable. Next, as I do think this is a step in the right direction there are many more things that still need changing. For example, I do personally think that period products should be free for women. Women do not choose to have their periods, believe me if we had the choice would opt out of it in a heartbeat. So therefore I think is a step in the right direction but we still have a long ways to go. 

Title of article : 

Spain debates if five-day menstrual leave policy will help or hurt  

Date of article: 

May 13th, 2022 

Page number : 

Page 1 

Author of article: 

AP reporter Joseph Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain. Frances D'Emilio in Rome 

Link: 

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/spain-debates-if-five-day-menstrual-leave-policy-will-help-or-hurt-1.5900330  

 

   

 

Medias role in the Amber Heard v Johnny Depp trial.

Medias role in the Amber Heard v Johnny Depp trial 

 

 Summary 

       Johnny Depp and Amber Heard divorced in 2017, three days after Amber had issued a retraining order against him. The two went about their lives until 2018, when Amber was interviewed for a Washington Post article, it was then posted with the title, "I spoke up about sexual violence- and faced our cultures wrath. That has to change." After this article was been posted, everything started to spiral out of control, Amber had labelled herself as a domestic violence survivor and Johnny had now been labelled an abuser. He went on to lose many job opportunities, and stepped down from his iconic role as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean. After this, Johnny Depp's lawyer had issued a statement stating that the claims Amber Heard made in the Washington Post article were in fact false. From then to present day, Johnny Depp has lost many job opportunities including role with Disney, any many other potentials that did he did not get a chance to start because of this trial. From there, the two stayed separated and on the down low until the trial began. Johnny is suing Amber for $50 million dollars in damages and still denies that he ever physically abused Amber during their relationship. The two are now currently in the middle of the trial, and Johnny has just finished testifying and Amber had just begun a few days ago. The process to find a jury and judge without previous biases toward Johnny because of his status. Amber is also an actor but not as the same level of fame as Johnny, which resulted in Johnny already winning in the court of public opinion. The trial has a major presence online and many use social media as a way to express their opinions on the trial. 

My opinion 

    Social media can be a very interesting place, especially when it concerns serious topics like a domestic abuse trial. I myself, am not fully educated and informed on the situation yet so I do not have a full formed opinion on it yet. However, as a teenager growing up in the 21st century, I have almost every social media app downloaded on my phone. Since I keep up with the trial on certain news platforms my algorithm specifically chooses to now include bits and videos of the trial on my social media feeds. Most of the time it is just simple information about what happened in court that day. But more often than not, I find that I stumble upon edits or videos making fun of Amber in court, or even idolizing Johnny in videos. Now I myself am a Johnny I think that no celebrity should ever be idolized, everyone has a past and they are still humans. I stumbled upon a live video on Instagram yesterday that inspired me to write this. The live video was an individual who had set up a screen that said "One rose equals one point for Johnny and one daisy equals one for Amber." Now a little explanation on what this means, you can send virtual gifts to people in live videos on various social media platforms. You do have to purchase these gifts to send them, and then the money gets send to the individual you are giving the gift too. Now that you have that bit of backstory I will continue. This creator had this set up and people were absolutely bombarding this live video with gifts, voting on Johnny and then another on Amber. This is just one example and it baffles me. Not only that someone is profiting off of this serious trial, but that social media has gone to this point. This is a trial for abuse, and people are making edits of it idolizing Johnny and then making fun of Amber, and her mannerisms in court. It makes me wonder what led us to get to this point. 

Title of article: 

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation trial: Summary and Timeline 

Date of article: 

May 5th, 2022 

Page number: 

Page 1 

Author of article: 

Kalhan Rosenblatt 

Link:

https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/johnny-depp-amber-heard-defamation-trial-summary-timeline-rcna26136 

Russian tennis player claims he is being discriminated against.

Russian tennis player claims he's being discriminated against

    

 Summary  

     Tennis player Andrey Rublev is a highly ranked tennis player, specifically ranked number 8 in men's single's in the world. Currently, there is a Wimbledon ban that prevents any person who is from Russia, be able to compete in any major league tennis matches. After he had won the quarterfinals, he had spoke to a few reporters at the tournament and said that the ban was "illogical and is "complete discrimination." If this ban stands, it will effect many other male, and female tennis players who plan to go onto the semi-finals and the finals. A few quotes from Rublev say "the things that happen now is complete discrimination." "at the end of the day we just want to compete, we are not here to talk about politics, because I have no idea, about any of this." This ban was put into place in February, right after the war between Russia and Ukraine broke out. This ban has left many Russians upset, as all they want to do is play their sport in competitions. Many of these athletes claim that even though they represent their country in sports, and wear their national flag, they do not associate with what their country i doing. Therefore, this shows that all they want to do is play their sport. 

My opinion 

    Firstly, I think that they should be able to compete in sports. Even though are representing Russia, they are not automatically representing what Russia stands for. I do understand where these sport organizations are coming from banning them. I think they just fear that if they would still let them compete. They would be lumped in with Russia and people would automatically assume that they would stand with them. When in most cases, that is not the case. Most of these sports players do not agree with their counties actions at all, all they want to be able to do is play their sport. I remember another example off the top of my head. There was this Russian piano player that had worked his whole life to preform. He had finally booked a place to preform, and last minute the venue cancelled because they didn't want someone who was from Russia preform in their theatre. And again, I understand where these places are coming from. But I feel like there could be ways to do this without potentially destroying someones career. Like for example, sending out a disclaimer to everyone attending the show or sports event that if they have a Russian individual preforming in something, that does not mean that they stand with Russia, they are just simply letting that person do their job. 

Title of article:

Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev says Wimbledon ban is "illogical" and "discriminatory"

Date of article: 

April 21st, 2021 

Page number:  

Page  1 

Author of story: 

 Genna Somra and Jill Martin 

 Link:

https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-04-21-22/index.html