With a plan to change the way sexual violence cases are adjudicated in the province, Quebec’s justice minister met with members of the three other main political parties Monday afternoon.
The goal was to discuss ways to better support sexual assault victims within the justice system.
“This reflection deserves to rise above partisan considerations. I intend to work with my colleagues and the many stakeholders who mark the path of victims to improve the situation,” said Justice Minister Sonia LeBel.
The meeting came amid debate over whether a special tribunal should be established to handle sexual assault cases. Premier Francois Legault has said he is open to the idea.
LeBel, Helene David of the Liberals, Veronique Hivon of the Parti Quebecois, and Christine Labrie of Quebec solidaire participated in the meeting at Montreal's courthouse.
“I am very pleased with this first meeting, which allowed us to discuss all the issues related to sexual and domestic violence and to reach a broad consensus. We will work with rigor and enthusiasm,” said David.
Hivon concurred.
“There is an urgent need to rebuild trust between victims of sexual and marital violence and the justice system. As elected representatives, we have the responsibility to find ways to adapt the system to the reality of the victims and not the other way around,” she said, adding that she and her colleagues welcome the idea of a special tribunal.
McGill University law professor Angela Campbell says a special tribunal -- similar to what exists for domestic violence cases in other parts of the country -- would be one way to improve the system. She says rates of sexual crimes against women are high, but the crimes often go unreported and unpunished.
Campbell says a special tribunal would not diminish the burden of proof required to convict. The purpose would be to give victims a greater role in the legal process and to provide a framework to better train judges, prosecutors and court staff on the realities of sexual assault.
- With files from CTV Montreal
