DISTRICT OF COQUITLAM

113] BRUNETTE AVENUE, COQUITLAM, B.C. PHONE 526.3611

V3K 1&9 MAYOR J.L. TONN

November 18th, 1981.

City of Port Coquitlam, i Al fr
2272 McAllister Avenue, i | \ e

PORT COQUITLAM, B.C.
NOV 23 198}

_ Attention: Municipal/City/Village Clerk

Dear Sir,

Re; Sexual Assault. of Children’

The Municipal Council of the District of Coquitlam at their meeting
of November 9th, 1981 adopted the Following resolution related ta the cap-
tioned subject.

"WHEREAS few cases are pursued on the strength of the
evidence alone unless an adult family member, usually
the mother, is willing to press charges on behalf of the
child;

AND WHEREAS when charges are filed, accused
perpetrators are often released immediately on low bond
pending trial with no enforceable injunction to stay away
From the Farmity often resulting in harassment and pressure

on the victim;

AND WHEREAS cases that do go to court may take an un-
conscionable amount of time to be processed and heard;

ANO WHEREAS the child is forced to repeat many times
their staternunts in the present adversary court process
increasing the trauma of the victim; ‘

BE IT RESOLVED that the Attorney-General take immediate
steps to irnprove the present justice system when dealing

with sexual assault of children and adolescents, And Further,
that this resolution be referred to the Lower Mainland -
Municipalities for their support.

Continued/........