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August 21, 2025 - 7:00 PM
CONTENT ADVISORY - This article deals sexual assault
A 60-year-old Edmonton business owner and churchgoer will spend three years behind bars for raping a family friend who saw him as an uncle.
According to a July 30 BC Supreme Court decision, Darren Robert Sorensen raped the family friend when visiting her in White Rock, BC.
The victim and her fiancé had gone out to dinner with Sorensen and three of them had drunk heavily. They went back to her apartment, drank more, and her fiancé went to bed.
By this time, she was going in and out of consciousness.
"During one period when (the victim) became aware of her surroundings, she realized that Mr. Sorensen was on top of her, telling her to be quiet, and penetrating her vagina with his penis," BC Supreme Court Justice Christopher Greenwood said in the decision.
On the same night, another sexual assault occurred.
"Sorensen touched (her) vagina under her clothing and then penetrated her vagina with his fingers, and told her to lie down. (She) testified that she did not know how to react and was in shock. I am satisfied that Mr. Sorensen told her to remain quiet on several occasions, and ultimately got on top of (her) and penetrated her vagina with his penis. I find that the evidence leaves little doubt that (she) was once again intoxicated at the time," the Justice said.
Crown prosecutors argued Sorensen should serve three to four years in jail and be placed on the sex offenders register.
Sorensen's lawyers argued for two years of house arrest, pointing to his otherwise good character.
"Mr. Sorensen has strong ties to the community, both through family and friends, through his church, and through his lifelong employment and contribution to society," the decision read.
Sorensen owns Edmonton industrial powder coating business Boon-Tek Industries.
"Mr. Sorensen filed a number of letters of support... from his wife; from his friends and neighbours who have known him for many years; his older sister; clients who have become friends; and those he works with. A summary of the letters would not convey the level of support and obvious standing in that community that Mr. Sorensen has," the Justice said. "Mr. Sorensen has been compassionate about other people, generous, and has been a person of high character, has a strong work ethic, is sincere, honest, spiritual, dedicated, loyal, and is a person with integrity, as well as being a good friend and husband."
However, the Justice pointed out that his remorse only appeared to be for his marriage.
He referred to the rape as "an extramarital affair," saying the worst pain he'd ever caused was the pain he'd caused to his wife.
"The letters of support outline how remorseful he is but do not indicate what is meant by remorse," the Justice said.
One letter refers to him acknowledging having made a "mistake" and another speaks to his deep regret "about this whole situation."
He also maintains his innocence.
"In my view, the references to an affair and extramarital affair and Mr. Sorensen's descriptions of his own actions tend to demonstrate that he does not have true insight into his conduct, the inherent violence of the offence, or the harm caused by it," Justice Greenwood said.
In a statement to the court, the victim said she was a different person since the rape.
"(She) has become less trusting of others, less joyous, and has suffered symptoms that she described of PTSD, depression, anxiety, self-blame, and panic attacks, among other difficulties," the decision read.
"As is the case with many victims of sexual assault, (she) feels ashamed, even though intellectually she knows she should not feel that way," the Justice said.
The Justice said it was aggravating that the victim was intoxicated, vulnerable, and in her own home when it happened.
"The fact that J.H. was intoxicated enough to be blacking in and out, and in an obviously reduced state, did not deter Mr. Sorensen. While all sexual assaults are serious, this was not an isolated or momentary event. Both counts involve somewhat prolonged events of an uncertain duration and were highly invasive, involving penile penetration, and clear violations of (her) sexual integrity," the Justice said.
Ultimately, Justice Greenwood sentenced Sorensen to three years' jail.
NOTE TO READERS: To connect with a victim service program or violence against women program call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808. VictimLink BC provides information and referrals to all victims, as well as immediate crisis response to victims of sexual and family violence.
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