Liberals to support bill on training for judges
Comprehensive education on sexual assault law would be required if legislation passes
OTTAWA— The Liberal government will support a proposed Conservative bill that would require anyone hoping to be considered for the bench to undergo comprehensive training in sexual assault law.
David Taylor, a spokesperson for Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, says the government is satisfied with minor changes the Commons’ status of women committee made to the legislation, introduced by Conservative interim leader Rona Ambrose.
Ambrose’s bill would also change the Criminal Code to require either recorded or written decisions in sexual assault cases, and would require the Canadian Judicial Council to report on continuing education courses on sexual assault law.
The proposed legislation also has the support of one of the women at the centre of last year’s high-profile trial of Jian Ghomeshi.
Linda Redgrave says judges need to better understand the effect that trauma can have on the memory and behaviour of someone who has experienced sexual assault.
Redgrave, whose identity was protected by a publication ban before she asked for it to be lifted, was among those who accused the former CBC personality of sexual assault before his dramatic and controversial acquittal in March 2016.
In acquitting Ghomeshi, Ontario Court Justice William Horkins said he was unable to rely on Redgrave’s testimony, describing her version of events as “shifting” and her behaviour as “odd.”
Horkins also noted all he had to go on was the credibility of the complainants, which is not unusual in matters involving sexual assault.
Horkins declined to comment, but a spokesperson for the Ontario Court of Justice said all its judges are given education in “social awareness,” including on issues related to gender-based violence and sexual assault.
Redgrave said better and more consistent training could change the way judges determine the credibility of a sexual assault complainant. She said it could also help encourage more victims to turn to the courts.
New Democrats want the Liberals and Conservatives to agree to fasttrack the bill so that it comes back up for third reading this week.