Support in connection with the judicial system
The judicial system is a possible avenue for most victims of sexual violence.
If you decide to report the incident of sexual violence, there are resources that can help you navigate the various steps in the civil or criminal judicial system. You will be given the necessary information and support based on your needs:
- Reporting an act of sexual violence
- Assistance in making a report to the police
- Accompaniment to court
- Information and legal aid
- Legal opinion and representation in court
Services that specialize in providing assistance to victims of criminal acts, including sexual violence, can also help you:
- The team at a designated centre providing medico-social services for sexual assault victims can collect certain types of evidence during a forensic examination.
- The information line of the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales – DPCP) provides information for victims of sexual violence who are considering reporting an assault.
- Organizations that specialize in helping victims of sexual violence, such as the Centres d’aide et de lutte contre les agressions à caractère sexuel (CALACS) and Crime Victims Assistance Centres (Centres d’aide aux victimes d’actes criminels – CAVAC), will support you throughout the various steps in the judicial process—by accompanying you to the police station to report the assault or to court, for example.
- Legal aid clinics can provide information and legal assistance.
- The Québec Bar Association (Barreau du Québec) is the best reference for finding a lawyer to represent you in civil court or help you with other procedures that require legal expertise.
