Senate delay on sex assault training for judges bill 'makes my blood boil': Ambrose
In the wake of Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein's meteoric downfall over sexual misconduct allegations and the rise of the #metoo campaign, former Conservative interim leader Rona Ambrose said it's frustrating the Senate still hasn't passed her bill mandating sexual assault training for judges.
"It makes my blood boil, to be honest, because it's really about creating a level of confidence so that people will come forward," Ambrose told The House.
Before leaving politics, Ambrose introduced Bill C-337 to mandate training for judges on sexual assault law, saying it was needed after a series of high-profile cases revealed many judges adhere to archaic stereotypes about women who are subjected to sexual violence.
In one notable case, former Federal Court judge Robin Camp questioned why a sexual assault complainant couldn't "just keep [her] knees together."
Camp later resigned.
Bill C-337 passed the House of Common with bipartisan support in May, but has languished in the Senate ever since.
The issue of sexual assault is pervasive, said Ambrose, pointing to the lightning rod of the #metoo social media movement.
Thousands of women are identifying themselves as victims of sexual harassment or assault by using the hashtag #metoo following the Weinstein scandal.
Some women have gone a step further in explaining they didn't feel comfortable or supported enough to report incidents.
"And the judiciary is unfortunately part of one of those institutions where people think, 'they're not going to help, they don't understand. I will not get justice there,'" Ambrose said.
"I think there are a lot of people in this day and age who still don't realize what a huge public issue this is."
Ambrose notes that despite some of the campaign's shortcomings, mainly that it doesn't call for concrete action, the #metoo hashtag is bringing some empowerment to a space that's often hurtful towards women.
"Social media itself has been a very abusive, misogynistic place for a lot of women," said Ambrose, adding that Twitter, especially, can be "a sewer for women in politics."