Latest news with #Whynot
Global News
01-08-2025
- Global News
N.S. woman says court system failing her as intimate partner violence case drags on
Four months after intimate partner violence survivor, Brandi Whynot, first shared her story with Global News, not much has changed. Her case is still slugging through the justice system with no end in sight. 'It feels like the victim is put through more hoops than what the accused is,' she said. Whynot alleges she was attacked by her partner in 2021. While he was charged, she is still waiting for him to be tried in court five years later. She says her ex-partner has skipped out on dozens of court dates and has faced few consequences. '(It) is exhausting because there are court dates that I am mandated to show up to. So my nerves get bad,' she said. Story continues below advertisement 'I can't sleep with my anxiety to look this man in the face, to drive two hours for him not to show up and there have been no repercussions to that.' She says it puts a spotlight on how the justice system doesn't support victims. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'I have to testify I have no choice. If I don't I could face criminal charges.' Her former partner has pled guilty to one of the charges against him, but prior to sentencing, Whynot learned she would be restricted in what she could say in her victim impact statement. 'It's just another way that I feel I'm controlled by him and I'm stuck in that cycle.' And Whynot's not the only survivor made to feel this way, according to lawyer Pamela Cross. 2:08 Study sheds light on knowledge gap in recognizing intimate partner violence Cross was an expert witness during Nova Scotia's Mass Casualty Commission, which made several recommendations related to intimate partner violence. Story continues below advertisement 'The survivor is an integral (and) critical witness but because the trial is about him, she's not a party. She doesn't get to have a lawyer. It can feel very isolating,' said Cross. Whynot says she was also told no one could sit with her during her testimony, however, her ex-partner is allowed to have a support person. 'They do need to look at it as two people going through a very emotional thing. At the very least I deserve to have my victim support worker sit next to me,' she said. Cross says new restorative justice models could make all the difference in cases like Whynot's. In the meantime, Cross believes the government can take steps now to avoid re-traumatizing survivors in the courtroom. 'We need judicial education. So judges understand the terror that many survivors of intimate partner violence feel,' said Cross. Whynot says she's pushing forward, and trying to stay strong for her daughter's sake. 'Its what's pushing me to keep going. But it's terrifying to think that one day she could be in the exact same position I'm in,' she said. 'I sincerely hope in the future it's easier for victims — men and women — to come forward and get the support they need.' Story continues below advertisement — With a file from Rebecca Lau
The National
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Scottish independence hub opens with Gaelic classes
In a former SNP office building on Carnoustie's High Street, the Carn Ustaidh Hub opened on Saturday May 17 with representatives from Alba, SNP and the Scottish Greens attending the launch. The hub, run by Yes Carnoustie, is already hosting a weekly Gaelic conversation class and twice monthly evening sessions, with plans for one on Scottish history and culture and one with a more political theme each week. Broadcaster and journalist Lesley Riddoch and founder of Believe in Scotland Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp have already visited the hub, with Dr Tim Rideout from the Scottish Currency Group to speak on Tuesday, May 27. READ MORE: 'Basic fail': BBC under fire after hiding Reform politician's affiliations Sessions have also been held on rewilding, with leading sector organisation Scotland: The Big Picture's documentary 'Why not Scotland?' shown. Shinty and Scotland's native breeds of livestock have also featured in events specific to the area. In June, the hub will be screening a short film made by graduates of Edinburgh Napier Film School called 'Guttin' Quines', about the women of the North East of Scotland, who processed the herring on the quaysides. (L-R) Kenny MacAskill, Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, Lloyd Melville, and Maggie Chapman (Image: Yes Carnoustie) The opening was attended by Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill, Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman SNP candidate for Angus South in the upcoming Scottish Parliamentary elections Lloyd Melville. The opening address was given by MacIntyre-Kemp, with entertainment from traditional fiddler, Richard Thomson and Gaelic poet, Donnachadh Mac Caba. Yes Carnoustie convener, Rosemary Champion, said, 'Getting the hub ready for today was a magnificent effort by the volunteers. It's great to see folk from different parts of the Yes movement come together, as we need to. "Today's the end of the beginning and the hard work starts now.'
