MONTREAL --
Quebec must improve its handling of complaints from sexual assault victims including by establishing a specialized court, according to a report filed on Tuesday.
The report, authored by the Committee of Experts on Support for Victims of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, contains 190 recommendations. Among them is the establishment of a court system intended specifically and solely for this type of crime.
The committee was created in March 2019 by then Justice Minister Sonia Lebel. The report said victims must regain confidence in the justice system in order to feel more comfortable filing a complaint.
The document was submitted to a committee of National Assembly officials including Minister for the Status of Women Isabelle Charest and opposition MNAs Isabelle Melancon, Christine Labrie and Veronique Hivon.