We mentioned accountability mechanisms at the beginning. We believe that in order to realize the potential of Bill C-51, the government must put in place some regularized provisions to ensure that the amendments have their intended effect. The clinic recommends that the government establish a community consultation process with front-line agencies and survivors to monitor the rollout. The clinic suggests looking to the Philadelphia model which was used in policing for an example of this kind of engagement. The original model took place only in police departments. However, as there are many other actors beyond the judiciary and the police who will be part of the process of this being successful, we believe it should be rolled out more broadly.
In addition to sustainable funding for counsel, the clinic also proposes to look at the program Deepa mentioned, independent legal advice for sexual assault complainants, which the clinic currently runs. Additionally, we have an example in the family courts of a family court support worker. This is a program that we run also with the support of the provincial Ministry of the Attorney General. It's a non-lawyer advocate who assists a woman in navigating the system.
Our experience in the last five years has demonstrated that the court accompaniment and participation of advocates for women through the justice system increases their knowledge of the justice system, enhances their participation and decision-making through the process, assists them in realistic goal-setting, and moreover, changes their overall experience of the justice system as well as that of the other justice players who experience the expertise of a non-legal representative in the court system.