Insofar as the minimum sentences are concerned, I think that is a step forward. It is good to impose a sentence of two years less a day, especially in cases of sexual assaults against children. I would even go so far as to say that the ideal would be a sentence of two years plus a day, because we know that provincial penitentiaries are warehouses, that is to say places where people learn to commit crimes, whereas federal prisons offer programs and do follow-up. That is my first point concerning sentences.
I don't understand why some people doubt the deterrent effect of stricter sentences. If I drive 160 kilometres an hour on the highway and a policeman stops me, slaps me on the wrist and tells me not to do it again, I may do it again, whereas if it costs me $400, I might be less inclined to repeat my actions.
I'd like to mention one last thing. I was assaulted by two different people, repeatedly. I never brought legal action against the second aggressor in criminal court, but I launched full criminal proceedings against the first abuser that lasted five years.
I did not lay charges against my second abuser because I did not want to revisit all of that again, both for my family and friends' sake as well as for myself. I did all of that to see my abuser be sentenced to only 90 days in prison? No way! I did not bring charges against my second abuser, and he is still out there. Has he made new victims? Yes. If I had known at that point that the sentence would be adequate, I would have brought charges and I would have gone to testify.