CLAS made submissions to the Parliamentary Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Bill C-16: An Act to Amend Certain Acts in Relation to Criminal and Correctional Matters (Child Protection, Gender-based Violence, Delays and Other Measures).
Our submissions advocate for independent legal advice and representation for people who experience sexual assault engaged in the criminal law system. Our submissions focus on the protections for complainants on the admissibility of past sexual activity and therapeutic and other records. We also raise concerns regarding the limited definition of intimate images proposed. We advocate for providing complainants in the choice to pursue restorative justice options with safeguards and consultation. CLAS recognizes the government’s commitment to working towards addressing gender-based violence with Bill C-16 and we are supportive of many of the amendments proposed. Read our submissions.