8 new support workers and 3 new courts

Specialized court for victims of sexual and domestic violence

Drazen Seslija

Victims of sexual and domestic violence in the Outaouais will have access to enhanced support thanks to a specialized court within the courthouses of Gatineau and Campbell's Bay, among others. The announcement was made June 30, by Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette, as part of the province-wide rollout of this initiative.

The new specialized court aims to provide a judicial environment better suited to the needs of victims, with an emphasis on personalized support and measures to ensure their safety throughout the legal process. Present at the announcement, Hull MNA Suzanne Tremblay emphasized that this measure would provide a more humane and reassuring environment for those taking legal action.

At the heart of this new approach, the Outaouais Centre for Assistance to Victims of Crime (CAVAC) is enhancing its services with the addition of specialized social and legal intervention workers. Eight workers will be assigned to the region, including six in Gatineau, one in Campbell's Bay, and one in Maniwaki.

Their mandate will be to assess the risks to which victims may be exposed, inform them about the judicial process, and refer them to specialized resources available in the region.

The Quebec government also announced the addition of five resources within the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP) in the Gatineau judicial district. This measure will allow, where possible, for the same prosecutor to support a victim throughout their legal journey, thus promoting better continuity of services.

In the Pontiac judicial district, a similar model was already in place thanks to a specialized team that handles cases of sexual violence and domestic violence. Courthouse facilities have also been adapted to better protect victims. The new layout includes more welcoming and secure waiting areas, rooms for teleconferences, and screens that, in certain circumstances, prevent direct eye contact with the alleged perpetrator.

With the addition of the Gatineau and Pontiac judicial districts, Quebec now has specialized courts for sexual and domestic violence cases in 34 of its 36 judicial districts. The government indicates that this reflects its commitment to making the justice system more accessible, safer, and better adapted to the realities faced by victims throughout Quebec.