A Survivor's Story: Billie Jo
Meet Billie Jo Barrett. She is a survivor of domestic violence and one of many advocates who want Ontario to join several other provinces and territories to declare such violence an epidemic.
None of us at SAFE know Billie Jo Barrett, personally; however, her story is one of many public stories on the internet that is worthy to share.
For myself, knowing how difficult it was to come forward, it concerns me that other women will be afraid to come forward as well, knowing that in most cases, these situations don't usually end up in court for whatever reasons.
Those are powerful words from a Thunder Bay, Ontario woman whose abuser (her former partner) was charged after being accused of trying to strangle her during three separate incidents in 2021.
In October 2021 he was charged with assault with a weapon or imitation weapon. He was also charged between November 2022 and January 2023 with spousal assault, two counts of assault causing bodily harm - choke, suffocate or strangle, two counts of forcible confinement, mischief under $5,000 and failure to comply with a probation order.
Due to a lack of evidence, the court case was stayed, meaning all the charges were effectively dropped.
Her story includes calls of action to help others seek justice. It can be watched/heard (4:49)
here or click on the image of her and her canine companion below.
It was very difficult for me to come forward in the first place. I was full of shame, and if the justice system doesn't support me, then who does? Who supports the women who are also experiencing the same thing? Who supports the women that have been murdered? …. I believe in forgiveness, but forgiveness is not a cure for injustice. Justice is.
Source and full article: CBC.ca
Everyone involved with SAFE shares Billie Jo’s hope that by continuing to share survivor stories, other survivors will know they're not alone, and those in power will be reminded of the urgent need for change.
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