The federal government has introduced legislation to clarify and expand the sexual assault provisions in the Criminal Code, clearing up issues of consent and the use of a complainant’s past sexual history at a trial.
Bill C-51, introduced today by Justice Minister contains a large update to the Criminal Code that also repeals various obsolete, irrelevant or unconstitutional sections.The bill put forth introduces a series of amendments to clarify and strengthen the sexual assault and “rape shield” laws, including some that reflect Supreme Court of Canada decisions and address “misapplications” of current law.