Anand says ‘100%’ of military sex offences being handled by civilian courts
Global News Canada’s defence minister says 100 per cent of charges of Criminal Code sexual offences are now being handled by the civilian justice system, with no new cases being adjudicated by the military.
In a statement released Tuesday, Anita Anand said the update came following the recommendation by former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour to transfer the prosecution and investigation of Criminal Code sexual offences from the military justice system to the civilian justice system.
Earlier this month, the Canadian Armed Forces said that as of May 8, 2023, of the 190 cases reported to the military police there have been 93 referred to federal, provincial, and municipal police services. Of these, 64 have been accepted and 29 have been declined.
“Various reasons exist as to why 97 cases were not referred which include allegations that occurred outside the country, cases where the victim does not want to proceed with a police investigation and cases where the victim prefers an MP [military police] investigation,” the military said at the time.
