Quebec establishes specialized court for sexual, domestic violence in Montreal

The Montreal courthouse will now hold a specialized court for sexual violence and domestic violence, making it the 25th district in the province to join the initiative since it began back in 2022.

“We can’t repeat it enough: we no longer want people in Quebec to be victims of sexual or domestic violence to hesitate to file a complaint and denounce it. With the specialized court, we are bringing about a real change in culture throughout the Quebec justice system. From now on, the victims will be the first to be considered. We want them to feel supported, listened to, understood and most importantly, safe,” said Simon Jolin-Barrette, Quebec’s Justice Minister.

The province has made the move to have the specialized court in Montreal, due to victim supports that are already in place, like the Côté Cour, saying the “specialized court will make it possible to better meet the needs and realities of victims of sexual and domestic violence.”

With this, the province says the court will allow for support focused on the needs of the victim throughout their journey, training on the realities of sexual and domestic violence offered to all actors likely to intervene within the specialized court, and access to testimonial aids, such as screens and remote testimony.

Additionally, the specialized court will create safe space for victims, allowing them to avoid the alleged aggressor as much as possible.

“Montreal was one of the pioneers in socio-judicial support for victims of domestic violence. The efforts made have been echoed and today, we are giving ourselves the means to go even further. We reinforce the message to the victims: you are not alone. We would like to thank all the local stakeholders who contribute to the deployment of this important social project,” said Chantal Rouleau, Minister responsible for Social Solidarity and Community Action and Minister responsible for the Metropolis and the Montreal region.

The province also says they’ll be adding 25 socio-judicial liaison workers (ISL). This is a position created solely for the specialized court, at the Crime Victims Assistance Centre (CAVAC).

“We are really proud to be part of this project as well and it’s making a difference for the victims and that’s what’s important,” said Marie-Christine Villeneuve, a spokesperson with CAVAC.

“It was a project pilot at first. So we learned a lot and we changed things and we perfect the model so that we are giving, I mean, the best version of the specialized tribunal right now.”

ISL will provide support and guidance of a single resource, which the province says will prevent the victim from having to repeat their story over and over again.

“It’s still not easy to go through this. But we are observing that it’s making a positive difference. It’s the fact that they also have access to different tools. For example, we at some places have an assistant dog. We have some places that, well, everywhere you can use different tools to assist the audience, but to not be in the presence of the actor of violence. So everything that was put in place to help, we see that it’s making a difference,” said Villeneuve.

These workers will also have the mandate to assess the risks to which victims may be exposed and to direct them to the specialized resources in the region that can best meet their needs.

“Too many victims of sexual or intimate partner violence are still reluctant to report out of fear or discouragement in the face of a legal process that can sometimes seem cumbersome and intimidating. With the specialized court, we are telling them clearly: you are no longer alone. You will be accompanied, supported and your needs will be considered at each stage of your journey,” said Boivin-Roy.

Six prosecutors and three technicians will also work in relation to the specialized court, which will allow the same prosecutor to accompany the victim throughout their journey.

“Now as soon as there is a lawyer that will be assigned to the file by the crown the state it will be the same but let’s say it’s not the lawyer that lawyer does not represent the interest of the victim he’s just there to explain how it’s gonna happen answer the general questions and treat that person as evidence too and that’s what we want to change,” said Nada Boumeftah, a criminal and youth protection lawyer.

Villeneuve added, “We want to diminish the impact of the event in their lives. So that’s one of the services that people use the most, but also we offer psychological accompaniment during the legal process.”

The specialized court is now in 24 of Quebec’s 36 judicial districts, and the province notes that it does not change the applicable law in any way. The rights of accused persons remain unchanged.

“It’s necessary to adapt to that reality of victims coming in front of a court to disclose intimate things, close things. That’s why we are in a specific field, specific court space. That’s what we’re trying to build. So I’m absolutely for it. Now, is it the best system because of it? Not yet. It’s only one step towards it,” said Boumeftah.

While many who work with victims of sexual and domestic violence applaud the minister’s efforts, some like Boumeftah agree there’s more work to be done, notably in prevention and training police officers who respond to calls of conjugal violence.