Four years after the launch of the pilot project for specialized courts for domestic violence and sexual assault in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec completed the rollout of these courts across the province on Monday.
Premier Christine Fréchette and Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette were present at the Longueuil courthouse to announce the completion of the rollout in the province’s 36th judicial district.
Fréchette emphasized that this specialized court initiative — unique in the world — aims to restore victims of sexual and domestic violence’s trust in the justice system.
She paid tribute to the “boldness and determination” of her justice minister, who spearheaded this reform, which, according to him, has created a “safety bubble” around victims to help them navigate the arduous legal process.
“In Quebec, we refuse to accept that women should suffer violence,” Quebec’s premier said. “We are doing everything we can to combat this sad reality. The results from the specialized courts, now operating throughout Quebec, speak for themselves: they have made it possible to strengthen the support provided to victims and to tailor our practices to their needs, so that they feel more confident and better supported.”
Jolin-Barrette explained that this measure, which required an investment of $230 million, has enabled the judicial system to assist some 53,000 victims. It led to the training of 14,000 judicial system personnel at all levels, from court clerks to judges, as well as the creation of 129 positions for specialized support workers and 83 positions for prosecutors dedicated to this role within the Directorate of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP).
“Together, we have championed this vision of hope and a bright future for our justice system, and today, it has become a reality,” said Jolin-Barrette.
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