Paul Callow
Encyclopedia
Paul Douglas Callow is a Canadian serial rapist who was convicted of having raped several women in the Toronto
area in the mid-1980s. Because of this method and the fact that his identity was unknown, he was called the Balcony Rapist.
Jane Doe
, successfully sued the Toronto police for not having warned women in her neighbourhood about the four earlier rapes
. She also claimed that the police were using her as bait to draw out the predator. The police took the position that if they had publicized the fact that a serial rapist was attacking women in the area, he would have committed his crimes in a different location, making his apprehension difficult. In fact, the Toronto police had threatened to charge Jane Doe
with mischief, because she put up posters in her neighbourhood warning about the Balcony Rapist. In a case filed as Jane Doe v. Board of Commissioners of Police for the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, she won her case and on July 3, 1998, was awarded damages of $220,000 plus interest by the Ontario Court of Justice (General Division).
While in prison, Callow was accused by a prison employee of sexual assault. After this accusation, Callow refused to participate in any treatment programs.
On February 23, 2007, Callow, then 52 years old, was released from jail in British Columbia. He initially settled in Newton Town Centre
in Surrey, British Columbia
. Police did not release Callow's precise address. Following a protest in Surrey, Callow moved to New Westminster, British Columbia
. On March 3, 2007 New Westminster had a rally of protest.
It was reported on March 7, 2007, that Callow lived in an emergency shelter in New Westminster, and the only help he receives is a 20-minute daily meeting with a third-year social-work student. Callow was reported as saying he is "worried about vigilantism".
When he was sentenced, Callow was not designated a dangerous offender
. Concern about his release has led to a proposal by some elected officials from New Westminster for legislative change allowing convicts to be designated dangerous offenders after they have been sentenced, if they exhibit violent behaviour while in jail.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
area in the mid-1980s. Because of this method and the fact that his identity was unknown, he was called the Balcony Rapist.
Life in the 1980s
After stalking his victims, Callow climbed onto their second- or third-story balconies and entered through broken windows or doors. Callow had already sexually attacked two women in the 1970s before he raped five women at knifepoint during the Toronto attacks. Callow once confessed to a psychiatrist for being responsible for 26 rapes. His string of rapes -- in the Wellesely and Sherbourne area -- included the brutalization of a woman who became known as Jane Doe.Jane Doe v. Board of Commissioners
His fifth victim, using the pseudonymPseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
Jane Doe
John Doe
The name "John Doe" is used as a placeholder name in a legal action, case or discussion for a male party, whose true identity is unknown or must be withheld for legal reasons. The name is also used to refer to a male corpse or hospital patient whose identity is unknown...
, successfully sued the Toronto police for not having warned women in her neighbourhood about the four earlier rapes
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
. She also claimed that the police were using her as bait to draw out the predator. The police took the position that if they had publicized the fact that a serial rapist was attacking women in the area, he would have committed his crimes in a different location, making his apprehension difficult. In fact, the Toronto police had threatened to charge Jane Doe
John Doe
The name "John Doe" is used as a placeholder name in a legal action, case or discussion for a male party, whose true identity is unknown or must be withheld for legal reasons. The name is also used to refer to a male corpse or hospital patient whose identity is unknown...
with mischief, because she put up posters in her neighbourhood warning about the Balcony Rapist. In a case filed as Jane Doe v. Board of Commissioners of Police for the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, she won her case and on July 3, 1998, was awarded damages of $220,000 plus interest by the Ontario Court of Justice (General Division).
Prison and later life
Callow served the full length of his 20-year sentence in prison.While in prison, Callow was accused by a prison employee of sexual assault. After this accusation, Callow refused to participate in any treatment programs.
On February 23, 2007, Callow, then 52 years old, was released from jail in British Columbia. He initially settled in Newton Town Centre
Newton Town Centre
-See also:*Surrey-Newton provincial electoral district*Surrey-Panorama Ridge provincial electoral district*Newton-North Delta federal electoral district-External links:*...
in Surrey, British Columbia
Surrey, British Columbia
Surrey is a city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is a member municipality of Metro Vancouver, the governing body of the Greater Vancouver Regional District...
. Police did not release Callow's precise address. Following a protest in Surrey, Callow moved to New Westminster, British Columbia
New Westminster, British Columbia
New Westminster is an historically important city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, and is a member municipality of the Greater Vancouver Regional District. It was founded as the capital of the Colony of British Columbia ....
. On March 3, 2007 New Westminster had a rally of protest.
It was reported on March 7, 2007, that Callow lived in an emergency shelter in New Westminster, and the only help he receives is a 20-minute daily meeting with a third-year social-work student. Callow was reported as saying he is "worried about vigilantism".
When he was sentenced, Callow was not designated a dangerous offender
Dangerous offender
In Canada and England and Wales, certain convicted persons may be designated as dangerous offenders and subject to a longer, or indefinite, term of preventive detention in order to protect the public.-Canada:...
. Concern about his release has led to a proposal by some elected officials from New Westminster for legislative change allowing convicts to be designated dangerous offenders after they have been sentenced, if they exhibit violent behaviour while in jail.