The trial of a former Kitchener neurologist accused of sexually assaulting his female patients will be back in court in November, as it slowly nears its end.
Jeffrey Sloka, who also goes by Scott Sloka, had a brief court appearance Tuesday morning, where it was confirmed the judge will be ready for the next steps in this case.
The former neurologist’s sexual assault trial began in September 2021, meaning it has now spanned more than four years.
Defence lawyer Kim Schofield, who is not involved in the case, said criminal trials don’t typically take this long.
“It’s unusual. It’s not entirely unheard of.”
Sloka is accused of sexually assaulting 50 females at his private neurology practice at the Kaufman building at Grand River Hospital.
The court heard the alleged incidents happened between 2010 and 2017. The youngest patient was 15-years-old.
In many cases, the females described going for an appointment about a neurological concern and receiving breast or vaginal exams.
They were asked to undress and some alleged they were not properly draped, or, in some cases, examined while completely naked.
Sloka also took the stand, testifying for weeks in his own defence. He said there were medical reasons for the examinations he performed.
There were several long breaks during the course of the trial. The evidence portion wrapped up in October 2023.
Since then, there have been hundreds of pages of written submissions prepared by each side and provided to Justice Craig Parry, which he continues to review.
The next step will be oral arguments from both sides, which are scheduled to start on November 24. A week has been set aside for that.
During Tuesday’s court appearance, Justice Parry outlined certain areas he would like the Crown and defence to address in those submissions.
The slow-moving trial does raise concerns for some watching it unfold.
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in a landmark 2016 decision that anyone accused must be tried within a reasonable amount of time after a charge is laid. The standard set is 18 months for provincial court trials and 30 months for Superior Court trials, though Schofield noted exceptions are allowed.
Schofield also points out that it’s not just the accused that needs a trial within a reasonable amount of time.
“It’s, of course, society and, especially in sexual assault trials, the complainant,” Schofield said.
“It keeps dragging on what for some has been the most painful thing in their life,” Sara Casselman, executive director of the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, said.
“It’s hard to move forward when it’s still before the courts. It’s hard to move forward when it’s still in the papers. It’s hard to move forward when the defense is still fighting,” Casselman says, adding the slow pace impacts others too.
“Each of those women has a family and a community around them that’s been impacted by this issue.”
Casselman added that typically women who testify in these cases can’t connect with each other until after the proceedings end.
“They have been dealing with this as individuals even though it was very much a large group of women and a community issue in terms of the impact that it has had.”
Schofield said that the end of this portion of the case does appear to be in sight.
“I think that, in a case like this, we’re probably at the final stage, I would say, which is a verdict, and a date to be set for that.”
Still, Schofield noted that if Sloka is found guilty on one or more of the counts he’s facing, there could then be further submissions on what an appropriate sentence would be before the actual sentence is imposed.
Appeals and separate civil lawsuits can also follow verdicts.
Casselman reminded anyone who is struggling as this case makes its way through the courts to reach out to the Sexual Assault Support Centre at any time. The 24-hour support line is 519-741-8633, and more information on accessing counselling can be found at Free and Confidential - Sexual Assault Support Centre Waterloo Region
