Hundreds gathered outside a Victoria courthouse Wednesday morning to speak up about the Jan. 5 death of 41-year-old researcher and mother of two, Dr. Laura Gover.

Gover’s ex-husband, Muhammed Basar, has since been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in relation to her death.

Kelsea McLaughlin says her friend had done everything right to protect herself and her kids. Gover had reported her fears about her ex to police, and she had a protection order in place.

“Laura had the highest piece of paper you could have in the province… essentially acknowledging that there’s some level of risk to her. Once the protection order is breached, that’s when the onus should not be on the victim to continue to protect themselves. There needs to be some accountability of the perpetrator being under surveillance,” said McLaughlin.

Basar was charged with disobeying that order, and the day that he was scheduled to appear in court was the same day that Gover died.

On Wednesday, anti-violence advocates continued to push governments for action, including mandatory risk assessments, monitoring, and coordinated response across police forces and the court systems.

“Our community has lost yet another woman to this violence, and we believe we can and must prevent tragedies,” said Bahar Dehnadi, executive director of the Victoria Women’s Transition House Society.

“For too long, our systems have been designed around institutional comfort rather than survivor safety… While those who perpetuate violence face systems built around their convenience. Minimum bail conditions, light consequences for violations.”

Marlene Goley, manager of Cridge Transition House, says a woman’s fear is a risk factor that needs to be taken seriously.

“She needs protection that is comprehensive, monitored, and enforced,” said Goley.

A GoFundMe, created to help support Gover’s surviving seven and 11-year-old daughters, has received more than $315,000 in donations.

Meanwhile, federal Bill C-16, which seeks to amend the criminal code to keep victims of gender-based violence safe, awaits a second reading in the House of Commons.

McLaughlin says the event Wednesday is part of the legacy she thinks Gover would have wanted.

“She wouldn’t want to be only remembered by her death. She would want her death to matter, in some way that creates a ripple of positive change.”