An Open Letter to the Government of Canada: Survivors Deserve Justice—Your Leadership Can Make It Happen
Dear Members of Parliament and Senators,
Survivors of sexual violence deserve a justice system that protects their dignity and rights. They told us that Canada is falling short. Our new report, Rethinking Justice for Survivors of Sexual Violence: A Systemic Investigation (November 19, 2025), reveals urgent gaps and offers 43 actionable recommendations to close them.
Why action is urgent:
- Sexual assault is one of Canada’s most underreported crimes—only 6% of assaults are reported.
- Survivors who report often face retraumatization, lengthy delays, and systemic practices that compromise their rights.
- Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, Black and racialized communities, and people with disabilities face compounded discrimination.
What needs to change:
Our recommendations address critical areas to make justice survivor-centred:
- Access to justice: Strengthen the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights and address harm from R v. Jordan
- Privacy and dignity: Protect therapeutic records and limit invasive cross-examination
- Accessibility: Automatically provide testimonial aids, legal advice and representation
- Voice and participation: Stop redacting victim impact statements and better protect children
- Options and support: Expand restorative justice and prioritize access to services
- Accountability: Improve data collection and transparency
These reforms are essential to uphold the Charter rights of survivors, advance gender equality, and fulfill Canada’s commitments under the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
How you can help:
Champion these reforms in caucus, committees, and legislative debates. Our Office is ready to brief you and collaborate on next steps. Survivors cannot wait.
Together, we can build a justice system that protects, respects, and restores trust.
Sincerely,
Dr. Benjamin Roebuck
Canada’s Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime