Let’s make one thing very clear: just because someone is found not guilty doesn’t make them innocent. Take a minute to process that. Even for me, it took a minute to process what that really means. I always thought that if the law found a person(s) not guilty, it meant that they did nothing wrong. Unfortunately wrongs can be done even if the law doesn’t find them guilty.
It’s the oldest tale in the book: “Women can make false accusations.” Statistically, false accusations made by women occur in just 2-10% of cases, depending on the state.
There is NO tolerance for false reporting, let me be clear. However, it’s clearly a much lower percentage than many might think. The truth is that coming forward about sexual assault isn’t easy, enjoyable, or in any way beneficial. It’s degrading, emotionally draining, and nerve-racking. It is one of the most humiliating processes a woman can go through in life due to all the judgment, intimidation, and regret.
“What if I wasn’t there that night?” “What if I didn’t..” The “what-ifs” eat you alive. The most hurtful part of it all, and get ready for this, is when you share what happened to a “friend” or someone you try to confide in, and they say, “But [the offender] is such a nice person. They probably didn’t mean to!”
How does this relate to hockey?
Following the recent acquittal of former Flyers goalie Carter Hart in a sexual assault case, the idea of Hart returning to Philadelphia has come up among the fan base, and by some in the local media.

I understand more than most that the Flyers need a franchise goalie. However, it is NOT in the best interest of the team to sign a player who hasn’t played professional hockey in years, isn’t even allowed to play in the league, and still was a part of something that the NHL has called “very disturbing” and “unacceptable.”
You can disagree with me, but when I see posts about how the victim made this up simply because there are inconsistencies in her story, let me tell you this. Trauma mixed with alcohol consumption, and years since the night of the incident, can all mess up someone’s memory.
Maybe for some, they remember every detail to the point where the same scent from that night haunts them. For others, it’s a blur. Maybe you are lucky enough not to even have to think about how you would act after something such as this happened to you. Finally, let me end on this—if you think it’s normal to have someone record a video asking for consent, it most certainly is not.
This isn’t just about the alleged victim in this trial. It’s about the women and men on your feed who read the posts and comments supporting an act of violence that is so cruel without accountability. Imagine if accountability were taken. Why is it always the victims who are being blamed? Can someone be found not guilty and still be in the wrong? Yes.