Quebec City police officer found guilty of sexually assaulting colleague

WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.

A police officer with the Quebec City police service(SPVQ) has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a young female colleague.

Christian Lachance, 53, had sexual relations with the woman in her 20s during a party attended by several police officers.

At his trial, Lachance testified that his colleague had consented to the act and had even initiated it.

Judge Jacques Trudel concluded that the victim's advanced state of inebriation, which she described as "blackout" drunk,prevented her from consenting. He also described parts of Lachance's testimony as imprecise, vague, fuzzy andeven wacky.

Lachancewas also foundguilty of voyeurism, having taken two nude photos of the victim during the eventinAugust 2021. In court, he said hetook the photos by accident, which the judge rejected.

He will appear in courtin the coming months for sentencing.

Flowing alcohol

Several colleagues attested that the victim drank heavily at the partywhereJell-O shots, sparkling wine, champagne and cocktails flowed freely and they escorted her to a basement bedroom to rest.

Police officer Alex Blanger then warned everyone to leave the young woman alone.Another partygoer said they didn't want "another Lehoux," in reference to a Quebec police officer who was convicted of sexual assault in a similar context in 2022.

Lachance nonetheless went into the room where he claims the victim made sexual advances toward him, though Trudel said his story held no credibility. Nonetheless, Trudel said, even if the story were true,the victim's advanced state of intoxication made it so no reasonable person would have taken her advances seriously.

Following his arrest, Lachance filed his own complaint for sexual assault against the victim.

"Mr. Lachance's version was completely destroyed by the judge. So there's no doubt left in this case.That's clear,"said Jrmie Lamonde, the prosecuting attorney, as he left the courtroom Monday afternoon.

He said that the victim was relieved, and commendedher for her courage in having filed a complaint against a superior in a closed environment such as that of the police.

For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.