Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Thank you to all the witnesses for being with us today on this very important study.
I listened carefully to the witnesses. I think we heard five voices here today: four saying that we should add an offence of coercive and controlling behaviour to the Criminal Code, and one qualified yes.
I'm going to start with Ms. Stephens, and I want to ask all the witnesses the same question. I think we do understand on the justice committee that women facing violence often have difficulties in the prosecution and court system that lead to revictimization and threats from those who had already harmed them.
Would this be any different, for an offence of coercive and controlling behaviour, from all those other offences where women already find difficulties in the court system and with the police?