NCJ Number
141814
Date Published
1992
Length
179 pages
Annotation
This evaluation of Canada's Bill C-15, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code and the Canada Evidence Act, focuses on the extent to which its provisions, effective as of January 1, 1988, have been implemented in the Region of Hamilton- Wentworth, Ontario.
Abstract
Alleged occurrences of child sexual abuse reported from September 1, 1989, to August 31, 1990, were followed through the child welfare and criminal justice systems to determine how children were being managed and whether their experience had been affected by changes to the Criminal Code resulting from Bill C-15. The broad goals of Bill C-15 are to provide better protection to the child sexual abuse victim, to enhance successful prosecution of child sexual abuse cases, to improve the experience of the child victim/witness, and to bring sentencing in line with the severity of the offense. The findings indicate that the new offenses defined in Bill C-15 are being used and cover a broader range of conduct than the former offense section. Protection is being extended to younger children, and there is evidence that gender bias is being reduced (the rate of charging in cases that involve male complainants is higher). Evidence indicates that the credibility of the child witness is being protected in cases of sexual abuse, and support is being provided to child victims/witnesses prior to and during court to reduce the stress associated with testifying. The law is being used to protect the identity of the child victim/witness and the circumstances of the offenses. 39 tables, 10 figures, and a 16-item bibliography