VICTORIA — Sexual assault charges will not be filed against a man who police arrested after complaints from four students at the University of Victoria.
B.C.'s Criminal Justice Branch says a report on the case was reviewed by several senior prosecutors, who concluded that the allegations didn't meet its charge assessment standard.
Saanich police had recommended last month that an unnamed male student face sexual assault charges.
The branch says in a news release that prosecutors have to be aware of the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt and the credibility or reliability of witnesses.
It says it has a policy specific to allegations of sexual assault, recognizing that where the evidence test has been met, it is generally in the public interest to prosecute.
The allegations were the third sex-assault complaint investigated at the university since September, although police said last month that they didn't think the incidents were linked.
In the case of the four women who made complaints, the Criminal Justice Branch says: "On the available evidence, there is no substantial likelihood of conviction."
It says in cases of sexual assault, the Crown must be able to prove there was sexual contact and an absence of consent.
"In addition, to proceed with a charge of sexual assault, the branch's charge assessment standard requires that Crown counsel be satisfied no viable defences arise on the evidence, including the defence of honest but mistaken belief in consent."
The branch says because no charges are being laid, the name of the suspect will not be released and it will not discuss the details of the evidence in the case because of the complainants' privacy interests.
