Canadian Centre for Legal Innovation in Sexual Assault Response

CAPACITY BUILDING - we offer capacity building and review programs for legal professionals institutions and organizations engaged in aspects of sexualized violence adjudication. Sexual assault law is a highly specialized and in some instances highly technical area of criminal law. There is a direct link between substantive incompetence on the part of lawyers and judges and the mistreatment of complainants through for example improper questioning and reliance on discriminatory stereotypes about rape. In part the justice gap is a consequence of lack of understanding and knowledge on the part of legal professionals. CCLISAR pursues educational initiatives aimed at capacity building; for example by developing and offering advanced legal training for lawyers who are providing independent legal advice for sexual assault survivors under the newly adopted federally funded programs to offer ILA to survivors free of charge. As another example of capacity building - CCLISAR partners with law schools to broaden students’ learning experiences. We connect law students with sexual assault experts across the country facilitate speaker series and workshops aimed at developing substantive expertise in the area of sexual assault law and provide law students with research stipends to facilitate research projects. PUBLIC AWARENESS - CCLISAR provides information for the general public about legal processes governing claims of sexualized violence. Educational initiatives aimed at public awareness include projects that target non-legal service providers who work with survivors (such as sexual assault centers) and the general public. For example CCLISAR may design legal information materials for service providers highlighting the legal rights and interests of complainants. CCLISAR does not work directly with individuals who have experienced sexual assault. Instead we serve as a legal information and research resource centre.