80.2 Child Abuse
Whereas, Every year thousands of Canadian women witness cases of physical abuse by their husbands on children of the marriage;
Whereas, There is a provision in the Criminal Code of Canada, providing for assault charges to be laid in cases of child abuse;
Whereas, The law now states that a married woman is neither a competent nor compellable witness against her husband;
and,
Whereas, A great many cases of child abuse never reach the courtrooms because wives are reluctant to testify against their husbands; therefore be it,
RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to introduce a section in the Criminal Code of Canada relating specifically to child abuse; and be it further,
RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to amend the Criminal Code of Canada to make women both competent and compellable witnesses against their husbands in cases of child abuse.