Department of Justice

MEASURES TO PROTECT WOMEN AND CHILDREN COME INTO FORCE

May 21, 1997 -- The Department of Justice Canada today announced that Bill C-27 came into force yesterday on May 20, 1997.

Bill C-27, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (child prostitution, child sex tourism, criminal harassment, and female genital multilation (S.C. 1997, Chapter 16), increases the protection of vulnerable women and children against abuse and exploitation. The Bill improves the tools available to the criminal justice system to deal with and prevent child prostitution, whether within or outside Canada. This includes tougher sentences for those who use violence to force children into prostitution for profit and measures to make it easier for child victims to testify against their exploiters.

Bill C-27 also ensures that those individuals who commit murder while stalking their victim will be convicted of first degree murder when they intended to make the victim fear for her safety or the safety of others. It also clarifies that the practice of female genital mutilation is criminal in Canada.

Bill C-27 was tabled in the House of Commons on April 18, 1996, and received Royal Assent on April 25, 1997.

Ref.:  Irène Arseneau          Lucie Angers
       Department of Justice   Criminal Law Policy
       (613) 957-4207        (613) 957-4750