Quebec to spend $200M on sexual violence prevention and response strategy

On the heels of several high-profile sexual assault allegations in recent weeks, the Quebec government has outlined a $200-million strategy to prevent and respond to sexual violence, which includes $26 million in new funding.

Ministers Lise Thériault, Martin Coiteux, Stéphanie Vallée, Lucie Charlebois and Hélène David were all in Montreal Friday morning to launch the province’s new plans to work toward tackling the troubling issue.

The province will spend $44 million on 51 new measures to fight sexual violence. Of that money, $37 million will be spent on intervention, and $5.2 million will be spent on prevention.

The strategy will include several approaches, from an increase in assistance for victims, to implementing new training procedures for police and prosecutors, to developing a new sexual education program.

The government said it will strengthen support offered to victims by increasing the operating budgets of the Quebec coalition of sexual assault centres.

It also plans to start awareness campaigns on sexual violence, especially in colleges and universities, as well as in the sports world.

The government plans to better equip police to ensure they carry out appropriate intervention tailored for sexual assault situations. The province will launch a new police squad to fight sexual exploitation targeting those who buy sex services and those who profit off sex exploitation. The $6.7-million measure will also include more videoconference tools so that victims are not required to face the people they accuse. There will also be tools to make it easier for people to report sexual assault.

These new measures are meant to help more victims come forward said Justice Minister Stephanie Vallée.

“Talking about your personal life, talking about your sexual life… is not easy, and you’re talking to strangers. We want to make that relationship between the Crown attorney and the victim more personal. We want to make sure that they will trust the system, they will trust the professionals that are there to support them, so the testimony will not be so much of a burden,” she said.

Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux added that resources will go in particular to helping young people.

"We will also implement a prevention and intervention program on the sexual exploitation of young people," tweeted Coiteux.

"Quebec must be at the forefront to make all boys and girls feel safe," said Higher Education Minister Hélène David.

Former Gazette journalist Sue Montgomery, who became an outspoken advocate for victims of sexual assault after starting the hashtag #beenrapedneverreported two years ago, received a standing ovation for her speech at the news conference, where she spoke about her own rape.

 Fighting sexual violence is “not rocket science, it's respecting people's boundaries,” she said.

"We need to educate children at the kindergarten level about sexual violence," she said, adding that, "this report is a validation for me, after years of suffering as a victim."

Montgomery outlined her priorities, saying, “We need women and men who have been sexually abused who come forward, who have that courage, to get the help they need right away. We can’t have waiting lists.”

“This is not a women’s issue but a social priority that affects us all,” said Sophie Chiasson, a presenter who has been an advocate for sexual assault victims.

The plan also includes support for trans people, who Vallée said are often the targets of sexual violence.

“It’s the end of these taboos,” she said.

PQ leader Jean-Francois Lisee said the Liberal strategy to counter sexual assault and violence is a step forward, but only after falling backward on this issue for the past two and half years.  

Lisee said the Liberals dismantled several initiatives already in place when they came into power in 2014, losing precious time in the battle against sexual assault.

“They did everything in reverse, so they lost two and a half years. That’s two and a half years where pimps and sexual violence had a free pass because of them, so I say at last. At last they do something now,” he said.

Lisee also said that he believes often the Liberals announce things but then don't have the means to do it, adding that he will be watching closely to ensure the money is not wasted.

The strategy comes in the same month where MNA Gerry Sklavounos stepped down from the Liberal caucus amid allegations of sexual assault, two men were arrested in connection with a series of break-ins and sexual assaults at Laval University in Quebec City, and thousands took part in rallies across the province to denounce rape culture.