Laws around intimate partner violence questioned in wake of Madisson Cobb's shooting death
Advocates for victims of domestic violence are calling on Ottawa to create a new section of the Criminal Code to help prevent future tragedies.
Looking to Ottawa for changes to domestic violence laws
The recent shooting death of Madisson Cobb in a Haysboro parkade is sparking calls for change to laws relied upon by police in cases of domestic violence.
Cobb's ex-boyfriend, Devon Bradley Malik, is charged with first-degree murder.
Cobb had a restraining order against Malik at the time.
'She did everything she was supposed to do. She got out. She got the protection order; she got all of it, and it still wasn't enough,' said Jordan Guildford, founder of Gems for Gems, an organization committed to awareness and fundraising for victims.
'Our laws are just not strict enough.'
An ambassador with her organization is arranging a rally at Municipal Plaza at noon on Saturday.
'The whole point of it is to raise awareness about the change that needs to happen,' said Guildford.
Speakers include family of victims, police and domestic violence prevention advocates.
'Everyone can do something to end this cycle,' said Guildford.
Malik's family members spoke to CTV News, saying he continued to obsess over and harass Cobb.
It's alleged he was even GPS-tracking her car despite the court order to stay away.
He was also charged with criminal harassment before her death.
Officials with Sagesse Domestic Violence Prevention Society say criminal charges are more effective than restraining or protection orders.
'Often, when someone pursues a restraining order or protection order, they are pursuing it because it's their only avenue. But if there were coercive control legislation, there might be an avenue that actually allows the police to lay charges, which then puts that perpetrator into a different place in terms of how the system is going to watch them,' said Andrea Silverstone, Sagesse CEO.
Canadian lawmakers were close to passing a law that would make 'coercive control' a criminal offence.
Bill C-332 died when the election was called, and its fate is unknown until Parliament resumes in the fall.
Police have announced a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Madisson Cobb.
Madisson Cobb
With Cobb's death now before the courts, Calgary police will not comment specifically on that case, but sent CTV News a statement, which read in part:
'While we are unable to comment on specific legislative proposals, we support any measures that enhance public safety and our ability to protect the community. Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour we frequently encounter in domestic violence cases. Additional legal tools that recognize and address this form of abuse could strengthen our efforts to support victims and hold offenders accountable.'
In May, the province announced 'Alberta's 10-Year Strategy to End Gender-Based Violence,' outlining more than 100 targeted actions to prevent violence and support survivors.
'This includes significant investments in prevention, education and survivor services,' according to a statement sent to CTV News on Tuesday.
It continued, 'Alberta is firmly committed to ending all forms of gender-based violence, and we recognize the growing concern around intimate partner violence (IPV). While some have called for IPV to be formally declared an epidemic, Alberta remains focused on leading with action rather than symbolic declarations to address the root causes and impacts of not only IPV but gender-based violence in its entirety.'
The press secretary for Alberta's Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women says an announcement is expected next week on the topic.
Questions about strengthening surveillance of violators of restraining orders and protection orders were not answered in time for deadline.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Vancouver Sun
2 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
Families of October 7 victims sue Meta for $1B for allowing atrocity footage on Facebook
Families of victims of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas invasion of southern Israel have filed a class-action suit against Facebook parent Meta for failing to block the distribution of footage of the murder, abduction and torment of their loved ones. The lawsuit, filed in Tel Aviv District Court, seeks 4 billion shekels (approximately US$1.1 billion) in damages. This comprises 200,000 shekels (approximately US$58,000) for each October 7 victim whose suffering was documented and shared online; 200,000 shekels to their immediate family members and close friends who saw the footage and 20,000 shekels (approximately US$5,800) for each Israeli exposed to the footage, Calcalist reported on Monday. According to the plaintiffs, which also include some survivors, the footage turned Facebook and Instagram into 'an integral part of the terrorist attack on Israel.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'For many hours, in real time and long after the terrorist attack, horrific documentation from the attack (to put it mildly) was disseminated, showing innocent civilians — children, elderly, women, and men — subjected to atrocities that even paper cannot bear to describe,' the plaintiffs' attorneys wrote in the claim, Calcalist reported. The footage included 'murder, extreme violence' and 'abduction of civilians and soldiers, both living and dead,' among other brutal scenes. The plaintiffs are represented by the Givatayim-based law firm of Matri, Meiri, Wacht & Co. The attorneys from the firm argue that the videos were allowed to remain online for weeks in many cases, contradicting Meta's stated policies, Calcalist reported. Mor Baider, one of the lead plaintiffs, discovered his grandmother's death through a Facebook post by the terrorists. Baider's grandmother, Bracha Levinson, was a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz. 'Grandma was murdered on Facebook,' Baider said during an interview marking the first anniversary of the attack. The plaintiffs say Meta did not activate its live content monitoring systems, deploy its rapid response team or remove the content quickly, 'nor long thereafter (and in fact — to this very day,' according to the claim. 'The Respondent acted contrary to its policy, its commitments, and its obligations, allowing its social networks to serve as a weapon, as an inseparable part of the terrorist attack on the State of Israel,' according to the claim. According to Calcalist, Meta responded: 'Our hearts go out to the families affected by Hamas terrorism. Our policy designates Hamas as a proscribed organization, and we remove content that supports or glorifies Hamas or the October 7 terrorist attack. 'Following the attacks, we established dedicated teams that work around the clock to remove content that violates our policy, while ensuring our platforms remain available for condemning Hamas and raising awareness for the victims, including the hostages held in Gaza.'
Canada News.Net
2 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
26/11 Mumbai terror attack 'mastermind' Tahawur Rana wants private counsel to represent him in NIA case; court verdict on August 7
New Delhi [India], August 5 (ANI): 26/11 Mumbai terror Attack alleged mastermind Tahawur Rana has said that he wants to engage a private counsel to represent him. For this purpose, he wants to talk to his family. Patiala House Court on Tuesday reserved the order on this issue after receiving replies from the NIA and Jail authorities. The court will pronounce the order on August 7. Till now, he has been represented by a legal aid counsel. Special Judge (NIA) Chander Jit Singh, after receiving the response of jail authorities and NIA on Rana's application, reserved the order. Legal Aid Counsel Piyush Sachdev appeared for Tahawur Rana. He confirmed that the court has reserved the order for August 7. On August 1, the court disposed of an application of Rana seeking a regular telephone facility for his family in view of the denial of the facility by the jail authorities. Earlier, he was permitted to make a single call to his family. Rana is in judicial custody after NIA interrogation in the 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack case. Rana is the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai Attack. He was extradited from the USA in April this year. Earlier, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on July 9 filed a supplementary charge sheet against Tahawur Rana in the 26/11 Mumbai terror case. The court had extended the judicial custody of Rana till August 13. This supplementary charge sheet contains procedural documents like arrest memo, seizure memo and other documents, Rana's counsel Piyush Sachdev had told ANI. The main charge sheet was filed by the NIA in December 2011. On June 9, the Court had granted Tahawwur Rana permission to make a single phone call to his family for the time being. The call was strictly conducted in accordance with jail regulations and under the supervision of a senior official from the Tihar jail authorities. Recently, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) collected voice and handwriting samples from Rana, who was extradited from the United States. The NIA had previously informed the court that Rana was confronted with substantial evidence related to the 26/11 attacks. The agency argued for further custody, citing his evasive behaviour during questioning and lack of cooperation. Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan and Special Public Prosecutor Narender Mann represented the NIA in the proceedings, while Advocate Piyush Sachdeva defended Rana. 64-year-old Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin, Rana, was extradited recently in connection with his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The devastating attack, orchestrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed over 170 lives and left hundreds injured. (ANI)
Edmonton Journal
3 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Families of October 7 victims sue Meta for $1B for allowing atrocity footage on Facebook
Families of victims of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas invasion of southern Israel have filed a class-action suit against Facebook parent Meta for failing to block the distribution of footage of the murder, abduction and torment of their loved ones. Article content The lawsuit, filed in Tel Aviv District Court, seeks 4 billion shekels (approximately US$1.1 billion) in damages. This comprises 200,000 shekels (approximately US$58,000) for each October 7 victim whose suffering was documented and shared online; 200,000 shekels to their immediate family members and close friends who saw the footage and 20,000 shekels (approximately US$5,800) for each Israeli exposed to the footage, Calcalist reported on Monday. Article content Article content Article content Article content 'For many hours, in real time and long after the terrorist attack, horrific documentation from the attack (to put it mildly) was disseminated, showing innocent civilians — children, elderly, women, and men — subjected to atrocities that even paper cannot bear to describe,' the plaintiffs' attorneys wrote in the claim, Calcalist reported. Article content The footage included 'murder, extreme violence' and 'abduction of civilians and soldiers, both living and dead,' among other brutal scenes. Article content The plaintiffs are represented by the Givatayim-based law firm of Matri, Meiri, Wacht & Co. Article content The attorneys from the firm argue that the videos were allowed to remain online for weeks in many cases, contradicting Meta's stated policies, Calcalist reported. Article content Article content Mor Baider, one of the lead plaintiffs, discovered his grandmother's death through a Facebook post by the terrorists. Baider's grandmother, Bracha Levinson, was a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz. Article content Article content 'Grandma was murdered on Facebook,' Baider said during an interview marking the first anniversary of the attack. Article content The plaintiffs say Meta did not activate its live content monitoring systems, deploy its rapid response team or remove the content quickly, 'nor long thereafter (and in fact — to this very day,' according to the claim. Article content 'The Respondent acted contrary to its policy, its commitments, and its obligations, allowing its social networks to serve as a weapon, as an inseparable part of the terrorist attack on the State of Israel,' according to the claim. Article content According to Calcalist, Meta responded: 'Our hearts go out to the families affected by Hamas terrorism. Our policy designates Hamas as a proscribed organization, and we remove content that supports or glorifies Hamas or the October 7 terrorist attack.
