Justice committee  The question is what we want to see in the seminars for judges specifically with regard to sexual assault training. If we look at the fabric of Canada and at what most judges look like, they don't necessarily match up. From that perspective alone, I think it would be beneficial for judges, with all of their experience, to understand what it feels like from the perspective of a survivor or from marginalized people.

Justice committee  Yes, absolutely.

Justice committee  Yes, ideally. That's what I spoke to in having the sexual violence court be part of domestic violence. For judges who have shown that's an area of law they want to practise or know more about, that trauma lens can only be helpful in their presiding over further cases.

Justice committee  Realistically, not many want to seek any legal counsel or go forward with any sort of criminal justice involvement whatsoever. Realistically, I think the fear most people have when they walk in is that in order to receive services, they will have to disclose to a police officer that they have been assaulted.

Justice committee  Good afternoon. Thank you, Madam Chair, honourable committee members, and all others present today. I am Sarah Flemming. My role is executive director of the Colchester Sexual Assault Centre in Truro, Nova Scotia. I would like to thank you for the honour of speaking on behalf of Bill C-5 this afternoon.