The sentencing range for sexual assault convictions has been going up drastically over the last few years because of decisions by the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.
They are now routinely in the 3-5 year penitentiary range.
Thus, I was pleasantly shocked when I read a recent article about a recent position taken by LEAF- which most of us consider a hard core feminist l0bby group.
From what I can tell, it is recommending a restorative justice alternative- where the aggrieved person can tell her story with supporting people around her as well as the alleged assailant, so he can appreciate the effect of what he has done.
It certainly would lessen the direct trauma that the existing system inflicts on both the alleged victim and the alleged perpetrator.
There is also indirect trauma in the existing system if there is a child between the alleged victim and the alleged perpetrator- if the fellow is convicted and does pen time, how can he pay child support?