Sexual assault education now required for new Ontario judges
TORONTO — Training on sexual assault issues will now be required for new provincial judges in Ontario, following outcry over judges’ comments about complainants in other parts of the country.
A recently updated Ontario Court of Justice plan specifies that an education program for newly appointed judges is now mandatory.
The program, which includes instruction on legal and equality issues, has always been a key component of judicial education, but previously wasn’t expressly included in the plan as a requirement, said a court spokeswoman.
“The newly appointed judges education includes education on sexual assault issues but it is not exclusively focused on sexual assault,” Kate Andrew said in a statement.