Women's advocates use Hockey Canada sexual assault trial to confront players with hard lessons on consent
As the high-profile sexual assault trial involving five former world junior hockey players unfolds in London, Ontario, women's advocates are seizing the moment to address deeper cultural issues around consent and accountability in sports.
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The trial, centered on allegations stemming from a 2018 incident, has become a catalyst for education and prevention efforts across the country.
The trial is sparking real-time education for young male athletes
For gender-based violence prevention groups, the trial has created a crucial opportunity to speak directly to young men—especially athletes—about consent, power, and responsibility. 'I think for young men and for hockey players, they're watching what these five defendants have gone through and they won't want to be in that position,' said Allison Preyde, education manager at Anova in London.
'They don't want to be dragged through that to put their careers on the line, so we're having conversations about how to make situations safer and what situations aren't worth the risk.
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Preyde's work highlights the importance of early and consistent education on these issues—especially within sports environments where silence, loyalty, and groupthink can often override individual judgment.
Consent education is evolving—and it needs to start much earlier
Across Canada, programs like Consent in Sport are trying to reshape how athletes understand and talk about sexual boundaries.
Hanna McGee, who leads this initiative through the Saffron Centre in Alberta, says many young athletes don't fully grasp the weight of their social influence. 'Often, athletes don't even realize the significance of their social status... With a lot of that power comes a lot of responsibility,' McGee explained.
Her message resonates in locker rooms and hockey rinks, where peer pressure and tight-knit bonds can sometimes lead to harmful behavior.
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'It can turn into a harmful groupthink,' she said, adding, 'How you act and carry yourself is going to follow you forever.'
While leagues like the OHL have implemented mandatory programs like Onside, advocates argue that waiting until players are teenagers is too late. 'Particularly for people who are in the culture of sports and in locker rooms, having those conversations as early as possible is key,' Preyde emphasized.
Also Read:
With a national spotlight on the case, there is a growing urgency to rethink how consent, respect, and personal responsibility are taught—well before athletes enter the junior leagues.
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