For some, it's #MeToo vs. #HimToo at the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial

WARNING: This article contains graphic details, references sexual assault and may affect those who have experienced​ ​​​sexual violence or know someone impacted by it.

Outside the London, Ont., courthouse where five former world junior hockey players are on trial on sexual assault charges, supporters of the complainant — carrying signs reading, "I believe you E.M." and "We Believe Survivors" — have been confronted by #HimToo movement backers with signs of their own: "5 careers ruined" and "E.M. cheated."

The polarization echoes what's happening on social media and in discussions across Canada as this high-profile trial plays out, with closing arguments starting Monday. Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé and Cal Foote have all pleaded not guilty; the complainant is referred to as E.M. as her identity is protected under a standard publication ban.

On May 16, in a heated conversation with an unidentified female E.M. supporter outside the courthouse, a man could be heard speaking about testimony and evidence that have come up in the trial, but are being seen from different perspectives and interpretations.

"Inviting guys for a three-way with a woman might not be the right thing. It might not be something you want your sister to partake in," said the man, giving his take on a text message entered as evidence. "However, it is not illegal when a girl is consenting to this. It is not criminal when a girl consented to this. Michael McLeod has had his career ruined. Hopefully, [McLeod's lawyer] David Humphrey can go and exploit what this girl's lies are."

(McLeod has pleaded not guilty to a second charge, of being a party to the offence for allegedly inviting players to his hotel room to engage in sex.)

The woman outside the courthouse challenged the man on his notion of consent in a situation where one woman is naked in a room with up to 10 hockey players.

"She went to a room with one man," the woman said of E.M.

"And she stripped naked and masturbated in front of the men," the man replied.

"And then the man made a phone call and invited others to join," the woman countered.

That discussion continued for nearly 20 minutes, while E.M. supporters chanted their support and shouted "shame" at the defendants as they walked into the courthouse.

The Crown has emphasized the issue of consent is central to this case, arguing it involves whether the complainant "voluntarily" agreed to each and every sexual act while it took place.

As part of her marathon testimony in the trial that began in late April, E.M. testified she only had consensual sex with one of the players: McLeod. She said that at other times, she was degraded, humiliated, spit on and slapped while being pressured into performing sexual acts she did not agree to on players in Delta hotel room 209 after a Hockey Canada gala in London in June 2018. 

Some of the witnesses, including Hart, have testified E.M. was an active participant in what they say were consensual sex acts, wanting "a wild night," asking the players to engage with her and taunting them when they didn't.