NCJ Number
138209
Date Published
1988
Length
138 pages
Annotation
The impact of Canada's 1983 rape law, Bill C-127, was examined with respect to the current response of the Lethbridge, Alberta, criminal justice system and related agencies to reports of sexual assault, changes resulting from the law, and the victims' experiences with the criminal justice system and related medical and rape crisis services.
Abstract
The research also sought to determine whether the law reform had any unintended consequences on victims and on the criminal justice system. Data were gathered from May to December 1987 by means of a literature review, analysis of official records, interviews with practitioners, observations of sexual assault trials during 1987, and interviews with sexual assault victims. Results provided conflicting information regarding the law's impacts. Although more cases have been processed, change has been inhibited by former attitudes and practices. Delays in case processing are a problem. However, the lack of solutions to some problems associated with sexual assault results not so much from the legislation as from its implementation. Some of the problems could be reduced through the establishment of a formal system to provide victim services to those experiencing sexual assault. Currently, such support is minimal in Lethbridge. Training is also needed at all levels of the system. In addition, one individual or position should be responsible for helping victims become familiar with prosecution and trial procedures and accompanying complainants to court. Footnotes, tables, list of other reports, and 67 references