Oxford County to decide if criminally-charged Woodstock, Ont., mayor will be put on paid leave

Oxford County is looking to follow Woodstock council's suit and place the city's mayor Trevor Birtch, who is charged with multiple counts of sexual assault, on a paid leave of absence while he awaits his court date.

The motion being presented at Wednesday's council meeting comes after Woodstock's city council decided that Birtch will step down from his role as mayor and take a leave with pay last Thursday. Deputy Mayor Connie Lauder has stepped in as acting mayor. 

Oxford County, made up of eight municipalities, forms a second tier of local government. Birtch represents Woodstock on its council. 

The 47-year-old has been charged with three additional counts of sexual assault that date back to January, 2017, and as recent as April of this year. These are in addition to three previous counts of criminal assault brought forward by a different alleged victim, including sexual assault and sexual assault with choking. According to police, in both cases, Birtch knew the victims.

"I find it greatly disturbing, I think the community is very alarmed with the first set of charges and now additional ones," said Kate Leatherbarrow, a Woodstock community advocate. 

Leatherbarrow said Birtch needs to publicly address residents in his city because he owes them an explanation. 

"He hasn't said anything to anybody and that's very concerning," she said. "He's the head of councils, so he represents the region and our municipality at large and I think it's important for him to speak to our community for a better understanding as to why this has unraveled."

Leatherbarrow is pleased with Woodstock council's decision but says it should've been done as soon as information about the charges came forward. She believes that he should resign.

Birtch, who has been Woodstock's mayor for eight years was also removed from his post as vice-chair of the Police Services Board in February, the day after charges were first laid. The decision was made to maintain integrity and public confidence, while his conduct is being investigated. 

Diane Harris, executive director of Domestic Abuse Services Oxford (DASO) said she is "sickened by the announcement of additional charges from another complainant," and she's very happy that Woodstock council removed Birtch from his position of power. 

"I think the city is working towards the best that they can do at this point, because their hands are tied with municipal bylaws. I don't know if it's in their power to have those bylaws changed," she said.

She added that it sends a very sad message to people in the community that someone who in such an important position is charged with such serious occurrences.

"The city needs to speak to survivors, I think that women and girls expect leadership and for them to take on such a serious case and ensure that this doesn't define us," said Leatherbarrow.

"This can re-victimize victims of sexual assault and it just shows that nothing is happening to him. If he's out the eyesight of the public, then people feel like justice is going forward," she said.