JUST Committee Report

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Committee Report

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Table of Contents

LIST OF MEMBERS

LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS

THE SHADOW PANDEMIC: STOPPING COERCIVE AND CONTROLLING BEHAVIOUR IN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS

Chapter 1 – Introduction

Chapter 2 – The Canadian Experience: The Shadow Pandemic

Incidence and Nature of Domestic Violence, Including Coercive and Controlling Behaviour

Prevalence of Domestic Violence in Canada

Defining Coercive and Controlling Behaviour in the Context of Domestic Violence

Harms Resulting from Coercive and Controlling Behaviour

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Domestic Violence

Heightened Risks of Domestic Violence

Challenges in Accessing Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Chapter 3 – The Current Legal System Response

Existing Protections and Remedies in Canadian Law

Problems with the Law’s Implementation in Practice

Underreporting to the Police

Myths, Stereotypes, and the Failure to Recognize Women’s Experiences

Underenforcement, Ineffective Protection, and Lack of Access to Courts

Evidentiary Challenges and the Potential for Revictimization

Gaps in the Law

Chapter 4 – Potential Solutions: What the Committee Heard

Experiences in Other Countries

Pros and Cons of Criminalizing Coercive and Controlling Behaviour

Recommendations Regarding Criminal Code Amendments

Recommendations for Additional Measures in Conjunction with Criminalization

National Coordination and Review

Public Education and Training for Justice System Actors

Addressing the Needs of Families and Communities Experiencing Domestic Violence

Chapter 5 – Conclusions and Recommendations of the Committee

APPENDIX A: LIST OF WITNESSES

APPENDIX B: LIST OF BRIEFS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS