Warning: This story contains graphic details that may be distressing to some readers.
A Canadian Armed Forces officer testified Oct. 24 about how she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a chief petty officer on board their ship while harboured in Vancouver.
The woman, whose name is protected by a publication ban, told Vancouver Provincial Court Judge Nancy Adams that David Leslie Joseph Wilson penetrated her after returning to the ship drunk.
She told the court she said ‘no’ repeatedly during the alleged incident.
Wilson, 44, pleaded not guilty to the charge Aug. 17, 2022 and elected a trial before a provincial court judge.
The officer, who was 25 at the time of the alleged incident, said events happened in February 2009 while the ship was performing operations in the harbour prior to the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Under questioning from Crown prosecutor Joanna Medjuck, the woman testified the ship had docked and various members of the crew were having a drink in a mess when she and Wilson struck up a conversation that lasted about half an hour.
Prior to that, she said they had only crossed paths, and that she considered him “very professional and ethical.”
She said she had consumed two or three beers and then excused herself as she was tired and drunk and wanted to sleep.
She said other crew members wanted to go downtown but she declined, asking them to wake her up on their return.
Her cabin was a deck below. She changed into her pyjamas — a hoody and flannel bottoms with an elastic waist — and then used the bathroom.
As she came out of the bathroom she said she encountered Wilson, who asked her to join the group going ashore.
“I said, ‘No, I really need to sleep. Come and shake me when you guys are back,’” she said. “What I think I meant was I wanted to keep partying once they were back.”
She then went to bed, the court heard.
The officer said the next thing she remembered was the door opening and being gently touched.
“I remember Mr. Wilson saying, “I’m really happy you like me.’ I think there was some attempted kissing.”
She rolled over in bed away from him.
Then, she testified, he attempted to touch her genitals.
She said she thought Wilson had misconstrued the earlier conversation.
“I figured he was a drunk that would be easy to push off,” she said.
Shortly after, she testified, Wilson tried to pull her pyjama pants down.
“I said, ‘No,’” she said, adding she further rolled over and was on her front, with him behind her.
It was then that he began penetrating her, she said.
“I think his right hand was holding my head down on the pillow and pulling my hair,” she said. “I remember my head being in the pillow and saying, ‘No.’’’
She told the court she said ‘no’ three or four times.
“He did say, ‘I know you wanted this as much as I do, I’m so happy you like me,’” she testified.
Soon, she said, she could hear him putting his pants on.
“He said, ‘I’m sorry. I just really wanted you,’” the judge heard.
The trial continues throughout the week.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, help is available.
- In an emergency, call 911
- In a crisis, call 1-800-563-0808
- To report a person under 19 who needs protection to the Ministry of Children and Family Development, call 310-1234 (no area code required)
You can find a full list of resources on the B.C. government’s website.
