Thank you, Madam Chair.
My thanks to all our witnesses for their significant contribution.
We all agree, of course, that victims must be better protected and that the judicial system must be adapted so that it supports and understands them better.
However, I must admit that I am troubled by what we are told about children who are victims of violence and sexual assault. We are hearing a lot about them these days. I somewhat agree with the witnesses on this, particularly with Ms. St. Germain and Ms. Grover.
Ms. St. Germain spoke briefly about the sort of unique environment for the Youth Division. The judges in that court work with young people on a daily basis and have a somewhat different approach. In many circumstances, for example, it is possible to hear the testimony of young children in a place other than the courtroom so that those children feel more comfortable.
First, do you believe that the training proposed for judges under Bill C-5 should be based on what is done in the Youth Division, or even be largely, but not identically, modelled on the division's approach?
Second, in what specific ways could we reduce the impact of sexual assault on young people and make it easier for them to testify?