In cases of domestic violence, we have to deal with repeat offenders, that is, offenders who are at their third or fourth victim. We have to go after them.
With respect to domestic violence, as soon as a 22- or 23-year-old appears before a judge, the latter must immediately order him to undergo therapy. Even though this is the first time that this offender has come before the court, he must always be required to take therapy rather than wait for him to attack more victims. In the past, we used to do the same thing for drinking and driving: A man would go before the judge three, four, five times, but we waited for him to get completely drunk and kill someone. In cases of domestic violence, action must be taken immediately, at the first opportunity, because violent behaviour has usually around for a long time.
In Quebec, the average number of prison stays for a criminal is eight. If we don't intervene quickly, that is, as soon as they appear in court, these criminals will clog up our justice system.