Plateau Bar Criticized For Throwing Fundraiser For Bouncer Convicted of Sexual Assault | Eater Montreal

"I report that TRH-Bar, a Plateau skateboarder bar (pronounced “Trash Bar”), ignited a major controversy after organizing a “Free Steve” fundraising party set for March 6 to support former bouncer Steve Bouchard, who was convicted of three counts each of sexual assault and armed assault for attacks on his then-partner Martine Beaudet-Aune in 2014–2015 and was sentenced to 18 months in early 2017; he appears still in prison after an October early-release request was denied. The event was proposed by Bouchard’s sister and pitched as helping his reintegration, and one of the bar’s owners, Fred Vitu, defended it by saying Bouchard had paid his debt to society, but Beaudet-Aune said the party felt like they were laughing in her face, showed disrespect toward sexual-assault victims, and noted Bouchard had not shown remorse. After heavy criticism the bar took down its Facebook page, later reactivated it to post an apologetic message and pledged to donate double the party’s proceeds to an organization supporting sexual-assault victims, yet many people remained unconvinced and the bar received over 1,000 one-star reviews, including comments from as far away as France." - Tim Forster