JUSTICE MINISTER TABLES AMENDMENTS ON CHILD
PROSTITUTION, STALKING AND FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
OTTAWA, December 14, 1995 -- Allan Rock, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today tabled Criminal Code amendments concerning child prostitution, criminal harassment (stalking) and female genital mutilation.
"These new measures help in the continuing effort to address the problem of violence by men against women and children," said Minister Rock. "We are responding to the concerns of Canadians in tabling these amendments."
Child Prostitution
The government is fulfilling a Red Book commitment by proceeding with both legislative and other changes to address child prostitution. These changes include:
-
* a new mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years for those convicted of profiting from child prostitution;
-
* improvements to an existing provision that will help to apprehend those seeking the services of youth prostitutes; and
-
* provisions that will remove barriers for youths who wish to testify against pimps.
Stalking
The criminal harassment (stalking) provisions of the Criminal Code are also being strengthened. Under these changes:
-
* anyone who commits murder while stalking, if they intended to cause their victim(s) to fear for their safety while stalking, will face a first degree murder charge.
-
* a court, when imposing sentence on a person who is convicted of stalking while under a restraining order (peace bond), must treat that as an aggravating factor; and
Female Genital Mutilation
The Criminal Code is being amended to clarify specifically that the practice of female genital mutilation is criminal conduct in Canada. This will make it clear that this practice is unacceptable in Canadian society.
This amendment will serve as a useful tool in our efforts to educate Canadians regarding the health risks associated with this practice.
Ref.: Cyrus Reporter Lucie Angers
Minister's Office Department of Justice
(613) 992-4621 (613) 957-4750
|
