MPP Fife Reintroduces Bill for Better Handling of Sexual Assault Cases

Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife believes there needs to be greater accountability and transparency when it comes to dealing with sexual assault cases in Ontario.

On Monday, Fife held a press conference announcing that she would be reintroducing her private member’s bill known as Lydia’s Law. She explained that the bill aims to enhance accountability for sexual assault cases, including monitoring delays and improving support access.

“We know from listening to survivors that the court system continues to be a hostile place for women seeking justice,” Fife stated during her press conference.

This isn’t the first time Fife has put forth this bill; she initially introduced it in 2024 but is bringing it back now after the nearly five-year-long trial involving former Kitchener neurologist Jeffrey Sloka.

Throughout the trial, Sloka maintained his innocence and was acquitted last month on 48 charges of sexual assault.

Fife is urging the attorney general to create an annual report regarding progress on intimate partner violence and sexual assault cases, reassess the Victim Quick Response Program-which provides timely aid to victims of violent crimes-and ensure every survivor has access to independent legal advice.

“For those survivors who find the strength to come forward, court backlogs, unavailable courtrooms, and staffing shortages mean many don’t get their chance in court or see justice served,” said Fife.

Lydia’s Law builds upon recommendations made by Ontario’s Auditor General in 2019 concerning how sexual assault cases are managed. The law is named after a woman from Waterloo who shared her own experience of being sexually assaulted with Fife.

The previous iteration of Fife’s bill did not move forward due to a provincial election called in February 2025.

This time around, she wants the Ontario government to take her proposal more seriously.

<p“ I have three male co-sponsors for this bill. I aim to broaden discussions about what violence does to our society and include strong allies,” expressed Fife.

Sara Casselman, executive director of the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, supported Fife at her press conference at Queen’s Park on Monday.

Casselman emphasized that Lydia’s Law is crucial because coming forward doesn’t always guarantee justice will follow.

“Survivors deserve more than a system that demands extraordinary resilience just to be heard; one that often fails to treat them respectfully and falls short on meaningful accountability,” Casselman stated.

People hold signs up in support of patients who said they were sexually assaulted by Jeffrey Sloka. Sloka was acquitted of all 48 charges he faced. (Aastha Shetty/CBC)

Casselman noted that only six percent of sexual assault survivors report incidents to police, and among those reports, only ten percent lead to convictions.

“Is it any wonder that many survivors and their advocates don’t trust our legal system as a true justice system?” she questioned.

During the press conference , Brittany Wellington read a statement from a family member who accused Sloka of sexual assault.

“Four and a half years filled with tears , trial dates , and painful revelations have left me feeling broken by stress without any sense of justice. I’ve lost years I’ll never get back due to a system that promised help,” Wellington read from the statement.

“The court process feels like it’s slowly grinding down one’s spirit while forgetting there’s an actual human at its center.”

Call for regulatory bodies to fund mental health supports past five years

Currently under Ontario law , someone alleging they’ve been sexually abused by healthcare providers can receive therapy funded by their regulatory body for five years.

Fife’s latest version of her bill seeks remove that five-year limit.

“Everyone’s journey is unique when they disclose , so everyone needs different levels of support,” said Fife.< WATCH | Lydia's Law calls for more accountability in sexual assault cases:<img src="https://ontariochronicle. ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1780817454_933_default. jpg" alt="" class="thumbnail" loading="lazy"/

Waterloo MPP pushes for more accountability in sexual assault cases
Mpp Catherine fief has retabled A Bill calling For More Accountability And Transparency In The Handling Of Sexual Assault Cases In Ontario On Monday She Held A Press Conference At Queen’S Park Regarding Lydia’S Law Which She Says Will Include Tracking Delays And Improving Access To Supports Brittany Wellington Read A Statement From A Family Member Who Accused Former Kitchener Neurologist Jeffrey Sloka Of Sexual Assault Sloka Was Recently Acquitted Of All 48 Sexual Assault Charges.

This was echoed By Wellington As She Read From Her Family Member’S Statement.

“Survivors need The Five-Year Time Limit For Mental Health Supports Removed If They Experience Assault By A Member Of A Regulatory Body When My Five-Year Limit Was Fast Approaching With No Verdict Insight I Had To Reach Out To Catherine Fife And Her Team For Help To Remove This Cap For All Victims In The Sloka Case,” Wellington Read.

Casselman pointed out That Accountability In Courts Means Very Little If Survivors Of Sexual Assault Can’T Access Support In Their Communities.

“Ontario’S Community-Based Sexual Assault Centres Are Critically Underfunded,” Casselman Said.

She Stated That The Sexual Assault Support Centre Of Waterloo Region Would Need A 57 Percent Increase In Government Funding “Not To Expand Not To Innovate Not To Meet Growing Demand Simply To Stand Still.”

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