Madam Chair, once again I'll try to keep my comments very brief.
In the nomenclature we use in the criminal defence bar, the term “victim” is a very loaded term, and in terms of how we like to view things or how we like to term things, we prefer the term “complainant” to refer to the person who has made the criminal complaint.
Other parties can be witnesses. Other parties can be affected by both the charge and the operation of the justice system.
I think if you don't use the term “victim” to designate these people, but just call them who they are—families of the defendant, families of the complainant—that way you focus less on labels and more on people as human beings. That way you can address their specific needs, because depending on where they sit in the courtroom, their needs are going to be vastly different. For a defendant's family, their immediate needs may be to have the defendant come back and serve a conditional sentence at home, so you don't rip the family apart. With respect to the complainant's family, it may be counselling that is needed.
If we focus less on labels and more on needs, I think we will increase the level of justice for all participants in the system.
Thank you.