From the âknees togetherâ judge to others across the country who have made questionable comments and rulings, itâs time the province make training for sexual assault cases mandatory, say opposition MPPs and victim support groups. âI think it helps change the culture and helps reassure Ontarians â and especially victims â that judges are sensitive when they hear these cases,â and could prompt more women to come forward, said Progressive Conservative MPP Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock), her partyâs womenâs issues critic, who has urged Attorney General Yasir Naqvi to make changes.â . . . There are ways we can do better, and mandatory training of judges in sexual assault is a good first step.âOn Friday, Premier Kathleen Wynne suggested Naqvi is considering writing a letter to the provinceâs judges asking them to consider more training in the handling of sexual assault cases. âWe canât mandate the specific training that judges receive,â Wynne told reporters on Friday, echoing comments from Naqvi about the independence of the judiciary. However, she said, âthe attorney general is looking at what he could do to encourage this.âRead more:Judgeâs âunusual approachâ in Mandi Gray sex assault trial questionedCourts struggle to determine how drunk is too drunk to consentâKnees togetherâ judge in sexual assault trial says he will resign from the benchScott, who brought up the issue during Question Period last week, said sheâs disappointed the government wonât force what is a âcommon sense proposal.â She told the Star she will pursue the issue, following the lead of the federal PC party and introducing a private memberâs bill.Last last month, Interim federal PC Leader Rona Ambrose brought forward a bill that would require training for any lawyer wishing to become a federally ...
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