Women’s centres see crisis calls rise during high-profile Hockey Canada trial

With significant public interest in the sexual assault trial of five former world junior hockey players, staff at women’s shelters are raising the alarm about a surge in crisis calls, disclosures and demand for services. The men are accused of sexually assaulting a young woman known as E.M. in a London, Ont., hotel room in 2018. Throughout the high-profile case, front-line staff at shelters and crisis centres have seen more victims coming forward to formally report or seek support.