B.C. taking ‘baby steps’ to better protect women from violent men
An anti-violence organization says B.C. is taking small steps to better protect women from abusive men. The incremental progress follows meetings earlier this year between women’s protection agencies, police leaders and government officials. “We’re hopeful and grateful for those baby steps. We’ve got a whole lot of baby steps to go,” said Marlene Goley, […]
Times Colonist: Art-therapy program helps women build confidence after brain injury, abuse
A three-dimensional yellow daffodil pops out of a pink and purple canvas painted by Emilie Morris-Campeau, a survivor of brain injury and intimate-partner violence. She’s one of a handful of people with similar experiences who take part in an art-therapy program at the Cridge Centre for the Family. Art pieces by women in the group […]
CTV News: Calls for stronger domestic violence protections in B.C. heard by province
Organizations that respond to intimate-partner violence say they’re feeling a renewed sense of hope that changes will be made to B.C.’s justice system to better protect women. Their optimism stems from a recent meeting between service providers, police leaders and provincial politicians, including the attorney general. “It was the first meeting of its kind that’s […]
The Canadian Press: Brain injury a shadow crisis amid overdose deaths in British Columbia
Edwin Bergsson’s friend broke down the door of his recording studio in Victoria about five years ago, found him unconscious, and saved his life. “It’s incredible that I’m here today,” Bergsson said in an interview. He had overdosed after taking what he believed was crystal meth. But while he counts himself lucky to have escaped […]
CHEK News: Second Chance Cafe creates job opportunity for brain injury survivors
The Second Chance Cafe aims to help brain injury survivors rebuild their lives and get back into the workforce. The cafe, operated by the Cridge Centre for Family, offers an opportunity for survivors of brain injury to gain some employment readiness skills and get back into the work force in an accommodated and flexible and […]
CHEK News: ‘Women keep being killed’: Victoria rally calls for urgent action after mother’s death
Following the recent death of a 41-year-old Vancouver Island mother, nearly 200 people of all ages gathered outside Victoria’s Courthouse on Wednesday, as the community and anti-violence organizations honoured her death and called on the government to act. Laura Gover, a 41-year-old mother of two, a university instructor and friend to many, was found dead […]
CityNews Vancouver: Killing of Saanich woman reignites calls to address intimate partner violence
Friends and advocates of a Saanich woman who was found killed in her home this month say B.C. and Canada’s court system failed to protect her. 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 […]
Times Colonist: Rally outside Victoria courthouse calls for action on intimate partner violence
Dozens of people gathered outside the Victoria courthouse on Wednesday morning to demand urgent action on intimate-partner violence in the wake of the death of a 41-year-old college instructor. Laura Gover, a mother of two, was found dead in her Saanich home on Jan. 5. Her ex-partner has been charged with second-degree murder in her […]
CTV News: Killing of B.C. academic spurs calls for government action against gender violence
The killing of a Vancouver Island academic is spurring calls for action against gender-based violence. Saanich police said earlier this month that Muhammed Basar had been charged with murder in the killing of a person found dead at a home on Jan. 5, later identified by an online fundraiser as 41-year-old Laura Gover, an instructor […]
Victoria News: Saanich mother’s death prompts plea to address intimate partner violence
On a chilly January morning, hundreds of mourners, advocates and community members congregated outside the Victoria courthouse for a melancholic gathering, remembering victims of intimate partner violence. The crowd was drawn to the courthouse by the Jan. 21 appearance of Muhammed Basar, who was charged with the second-degree murder of his former partner Laura Gover. […]