.jpg;w=960)
A local woman, whose daughter committed suicide after leaving an abusive relationship has gathered more than 8,000 signatures through change.org in hopes that the province will adopt Clare's Law.
The new law, which has been adopted in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Newfoundland/Labrador allows intimate partners to find out if their partner has a history of abusive behaviour.
But it has not been adopted in Ontario yet.
Cindy Leblond says her daughter, Bobbi Nelson, committed suicide after leaving an abusive relationship. She believes the inaction from the authorities, as well as a number of different factors, led to her taking her life in February of 2022.
Bobbi's former spouse faced a pair of domestic assault charges in the fall of 2022, but according to Leblond, the verdict was online counselling for Bobbi's former spouse.
"I do not believe justice for my daughter is being served, nor do I believe Bobbi was given a fair chance with the resources provided to her, I strongly believe the justice system failed her," Leblond told BayToday earlier this year.
"Although my priority is finding justice for my daughter, I also want to bring light to the sad reality that abused women in Ontario do not have the proper protection, counselling, and the support systems in Ontario which are lacking," she continued.
"I was shocked to learn that Ontario is one of the only provinces that does not have 'Clare’s Law' put into place to protect women from abusers. I believe it is time for a major change and until this happens, I will continue to reach out to advocate groups and the media. I will continue to fight for all women in Ontario. Until there is a change, we will see many more women like my daughter who fall through the cracks of our failed justice system."
The petition is also timely given the movement brewing in Ontario to add "femicide" to the criminal code, anchored around cases in the province and it shows how advocates are mobilizing to protect victims.
To find out more go to Justice for Bobbi: Adopt Clare’s Law in Ontario and click on the link below:
