Re: “Pregnant Teen Given No Help”

In response to the Calgary Herald article on April 10, 2008:

As the Executive Director of HomeFront, a local non profit specializing in coordinated justice response to domestic violence, I wish to balance the reporting on the justice system’s actions regarding the young woman currently jailed on a material witness warrant for failing to appear at the assault trial of her boyfriend.

Domestic violence cases are some of the most difficult cases to judge. It is not uncommon for victims of abuse, like this young woman, to avoid testifying as it places them in a very compromised and vulnerable position. They must choose between telling the truth and putting their loved one in jail, or choosing not to testify, seriously compromising the courts ability to address the violence effectively which leaves the courts to decide either to clear a potential offender or in this case, compel the victim to testify.

As Canadian citizens one of our primary duties is to obey the law and participate when required by our justice system. I believe it is important we understand the facts fully in this case before judging our legal system; a system frequently asked to make very difficult decisions to ultimately protect us from harm and violation on a regular basis.

This said I believe we should be challenging the whole system to develop improved means of ensuring victims safety by encouraging the use of photographs, videos, reports and documentation from experts in place of a victims’ testimony.  Victims would no longer have to confront their abusers in court and would still have a strong voice. Ironically, our system already successfully prosecutes cases where victims are unable to speak for themselves, otherwise known as homicides.

Written by Kevin McNichol, Executive Director for HomeFront

Published in the Calgary Herald on Wednesday April 16, 2008.

For more information, contact
Erin Schink, Communications Officer
206-2100 ext. 225