The NJI should reveal the training materials that judges receive in sexual assault law. This is necessary for the public's confidence in our justice system.

Over the past few years, women's advocates have loudly criticized the law, the justice system and a number of judges over how sexual assault cases are handled. With regard to the latter, judges in some cases have been publicly excoriated for 'not guilty' rulings in sexual assault cases. As a consequence it's reasonable for the greater public to question whether judges will continue to adjudicate impartially, given the pressure they're publicly under to convict the accused in sexual assault cases.

The situation is clear. Many women believe that the justice system isn't working for them. And many men fear that the justice system is being aligned against them in favour of women. Reveal the training judges receive in sexual assault law, and then everyone can assess how impartial the system may be.