Victims of domestic and sexual violence will have dedicated spaces in the Quebec City courthouse. This is the fifth specialized court in the matter announced by the Minister of Justice in the province.
To no doubt to denounce and above all to ensure that the experience through the judicial process is a human experience and takes into account the specific needs of the victims.said Simon Jolin-Barrette.
This is great news according to the Capitale-Nationale and Chaudière-Appalaches (CAVAC) Crime Victims Assistance Center.
Last year, 1,700 files were opened in the Quebec district, either for sexual or domestic violence, according to the minister, who considered this number high.
Better location
The expert court relies, among other things, on more suitable spaces. The witness room has been placed on the ground floor.
Now that we are on the ground floor, there is a security aspect that is more important than we used to be on the second floor, where there is very little witness room for the amount of customers, but also faces the public restrooms.explained Nadia Morin, Executive Director of CAVAC.
Thus, the victims threatened to cross their attacker on the floor.
Nadia Morin pointed out that the witness room will also allow victims to be more supported in the presence of mediators.
A single prosecutor
This specialized court also has direct access to Crime Victims Assistance Center (CAVAC) resources.
As elsewhere in the province, the expert court also includes a prosecutor dedicated to the case for all legal proceedings.
Five pilot projects for specialized courts were implemented in the following regions: Québec (Quebec courthouse), Beauharnois (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield courthouse), Bedford (Granby courthouse), Drummond (courthouse of Drummondville) and Saint ‑ Maurice ( La Tuque court).
Eventually, the government wanted this system to be accessible to all courthouses in Quebec.
In collaboration with Colin Côté-Paulette
Source: Radio-Canada
