Scott’s bill passes second reading

This afternoon, the Province’s Legislature voted unanimously in favour of MPP Laurie Scott’s Private Member’s Bill 9 (formerly Bill 120), the Mandatory Sexual Assault Law Training for Judicial Officers Act.

MPP Scott’s bill would implement mandatory sexual assault training for currently sitting judges and justices of the peace.

“I was pleased to have the opportunity to debate my bill in the Legislature again,” said Scott. “Ensuring that our judges are trained to handle sexual assault cases is a straightforward and important way that we can both protect survivors of sexual assault from being re-victimized and bring equality to the justice system.”

“It’s very simple. If you haven’t had the training, you shouldn’t hear these cases,” she added.

Despite voting in favour of this Bill at second reading the last time it was brought up for debate in November, the Liberal government has ignored it for four months.

“This is an urgent and important issue, and my proposal has broad support from survivors, stakeholders and experts. There is no reason that it shouldn’t be the law of the land,” Scott concluded.