Victims of Sexual Violence in the Canadian Criminal Courts

Abstract

The literature on victims of sexual violence in the criminal justice system has overwhelmingly pointed to the negative impact of these encounters. This research project sought to explore various aspects that might contribute to harm by conducting in-depth qualitative interviews and collecting limited quantitative data on 31 victims who had encountered various processes in the justice system. Results indicated a wide range of experiences, indicating that no interactions within the system were universally harmful or helpful. Victim experience was shaped by the attitudes and behaviors of specific people within the system demonstrating the importance each individual plays in their official capacity. In the final analysis however, victim satisfaction with the jail term was key to understanding experiences of harm.

Keywords:

• sexual assault
• sexual abuse
• criminal courts
• justice
• victims
• Canada
• qualitative research

This research was generously supported through a grant by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Notes

Justice for Victims of Crime Act, SM 1986–87, c. 28.

Vanscoy and Even v. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario. O.J. No.1661 (Ont. Sup. Ct. Jus.), 1999.

Victims' Bill of Rights, 1995, S.O. 1995, c. 6.