Before being appointed to the bench, judges-to-be need mandatory training on handling sexual assault cases, says a Liberal MPP who will introduce a private member’s bill this week to try to force the issue.

While, “as a government we recognize the devastating impact of sexual violence on survivors and their families . . . I believe that there is still more that we could be doing in this province to strengthen the justice system when it comes to sexual assault,” Cristina Martins (Davenport) said at Queen’s Park Tuesday.

Her bill, to amend the Courts of Justice Act, would “require candidates for appointment as provincial judges to have completed comprehensive education or training in the law of sexual assault,” she said.

“This includes the law of evidence as it relates to sexual assault proceedings, the principles of consent to sexual activity and it includes the myths and stereotypes associated with sexual assault complainants . . . my hope is that this bill, if passed, will improve complainants’ experience with, and confidence in, the criminal justice system here in Ontario.”

Cases across the country have drawn much criticism and calls for change — cases such as in Calgary, where a judge asked a sexual assault complainant why she didn’t keep her “knees together” to prevent the attack, or one in Halifax, now under appeal, where a judge acquitted a taxi driver, saying the woman could have consented to sexual activity even though her blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit.

Two weeks ago, Progressive Conservative MPP Laurie Scott urged Ontario Attorney General Yasir Naqvi to consider training for judges, calling it a “good first step” to reassure victims “that judges are sensitive when they hear these cases.”

However, Naqvi and Premier Kathleen Wynne have said while such training is available, they could not interfere with the independence of the judiciary by mandating it.

In a statement to the Star on Tuesday, Naqvi said it is an “important issue” but was noncommittal.

But Scott, her party’s women’s issues critic, said with a proposal to force training for federal judicial appointees, brought forward by Conservative interim leader Rona Ambrose, now moving forward with unanimous support, the Ontario government needs to act.

“I think they have seen the public pressure, and that it needs to be brought forward,” Scott said of Martins’ private member’s bill.

While Scott hasn’t seen the specifics of the legislation, “it’s going down the right path.”

New Democrat MPP Peggy Sattler, her party’s women’s issues critic, supports the idea of better training across all professions, and would “want to make sure that the content (of the training) is research informed, evidence-based — and is it going to be effective and actually change attitudes and opinions and knowledge, which is how you are going to have an impact.”

Ottawa lawyer Anne London-Weinstein said judicial independence is important and she’s concerned “when there’s legislation being proposed that is going to make things mandatory for judges.”

In her 20 years as a criminal lawyer, “in my anecdotal experience, I don’t see that lack of knowledge, or a lack of skill . . . my position would be that judges routinely apply the law correctly in sexual assault cases and other cases every day.” And, she added, the appeal system is there for when they don’t.

Martins noted the government has made progress in raising awareness about sexual assault and violence, starting “It’s Never Okay” campaign, and has boosted funding for sexual assault centres and piloted a free legal advice program for sex assault survivors.

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She believes her bill has the support of her Liberal colleagues, and she hopes all parties in the legislature.

It’s not meant to interfere with the judges’ independence, she added, but “I also believe that we need to have something in place” after hearing from constituents who have been assaulted or harassed — women who “have confided in me and told me their stories and I think it’s important that I bring this bill forward and receive support by everyone in the house.”