Introduction of Bill C-16, Protecting Victims Act
Canada’s Minister of Justice, the Honourable Sean Fraser, has introduced Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, one of the most significant updates to Canada’s Criminal Code in a generation. This proposed legislation follows the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime’s landmark report Rethinking Justice for Victims of Sexual Violence, which, among its many important recommendations, called for enhancing the reach and availability of Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) services nationwide.
Luna – alongside our partners at Kindex Research and Knowledge Centre and the Child and Youth Advocacy Centres of Canada (CYACC) – was proud to participate in federal policy conversations that helped inform the development of Bill C-16. Our input came directly from what our multidisciplinary team sees every day, and from what children, youth, and families consistently tell us they need.
This new legislation brings forward meaningful reforms that reflect the priorities raised by Luna, Kindex, CYACC, and many other partners, particularly around enhancing protections for children and youth. Key proposed measures include:
simplifying and streamlining evidentiary procedures for sexual offences
clarifying how delays are assessed in complex cases
alleviating judicial workloads by promoting diversion and restorative justice where there is no risk to public safety
Expanding access to testimonial aids (facility dogs, remote testimony, support persons, etc.)
Reinforcing trauma-informed, victim-centred participation
Restoring and reinforcing mandatory minimum penalties for individuals who create, possess, or distribute child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
Increasing penalties for sexual offences such as sexual assault, exposure, voyeurism, obtaining sexual services from a person under 18, and NCDII.
Luna fully supports the introduction of Bill C-16 and will continue to follow its progress closely, advocating alongside our partners and stakeholders to help ensure these critical protections make their way into law.
