I was a teenager when my mother's ex-husband sexually abused me for years. Despite my efforts to expose his hideous actions, his manipulative behavior allowed him to escape judgment, leaving me feeling unheard and dismissed. Recently, I made the courageous decision to break my silence again, in hope of gaining justice. Although he never admitted his despicable actions, he responded to my revelations stating his own discomfort, yet never acknowledging the lasting trauma he inflicted on me.

Despite historic abuse cases like mine, our current legal system permits sentencing based on laws that existed at the time of the crime. Regrettably, due to the maximum sentence in 2001 being 8 years, my abuser is set to be released in May, having served only half of his sentence. Unfairly, I will not even be granted the chance for the parole board to hear my side of the story.

Our legal system definition of justice is not adequate, failing to accommodate the permanent emotional, psychological, and physical scars carried by the victims long after the abuse. I propose a legal system amendment to enforce perpetrators serve 100% of the sentence issued to them, regardless of the time their crime was committed. Also, the sentencing should reflect contemporary laws instead of outdated ones, as these constant amendments aim to drive for fairer rulings.

For example, in Canada, an amendment introduced in 2015, known as Bill C-32, allows sentences for historical sexual offences to be consistent with present-day laws, which generally impose harsher punishments. This bill acknowledges the long-term damaging impacts of sexual abuse on victims, which should be reflected in our own laws.

By changing these laws, more victims can find the courage to come forward, knowing that justice will be served consistently irrespective of the time their abuse was committed. Please sign this petition as we call for a comprehensive review, reform, and enforcement of laws regarding historical abuse cases, ensuring perpetrators serve full sentences as per contemporary legislation.