Gerry Post

Today I had the privilege of introducing Bill 361, Provincial Court Act Amended; it is similar to the Federal Bill known as Kiera’s law. It would ensure that the Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia will establish education courses for judges of the provincial Court respecting sexual assault law, intimate partner violence, coerce control in intimate partner and family relationships and social context. Unfortunately, I am contacted too often by victims of Family Violence and Abuse and victims of sexual assault who often feel re-victimized by the legal system. I meet with victims from Cumberland North and have also been contacted by persons outside Cumberland North. Last year, Vicki Godfrey contacted me and asked if I could advocate to bring Keira’s Law to Nova Scotia. Vicki Godfrey is Co-Lead of the Court She Said Canada. Today, Vicki shared these comments: “Keira’s Law will positively impact the lives of domestic violence survivors and their children, ensuring judges and related professions in the family court system are educated on the insidious effects of DV and coercive control pre and post-separation. Domestic violence is relevant to parenting and the best interests of the child. Jennifer Kagan, Keira’s mother, has worked tirelessly to spotlight systemic failures harming mothers and children. NS mothers experiencing post-separation abuse are grateful and empowered to work toward much-needed reform.” Earlier this year, the federal government adopted Bill C-233, whereby federal judges would receive this type of specific education, and this bill would bring the same requirements to Nova Scotia. The federal law was named in honour of Keira Kagan, a four-year-old found dead with her father in 2020 in an apparent murder-suicide after being left in his care. Her mother had tried, in vain, to have the courts recognize the danger her daughter faced from her father, who had a history of intimate partner violence. If you want the Nova Scotia government to adopt this Bill, please get in touch with your MLA, Premier and Minister of Justice for Nova Scotia. @ChenderClaudia #familyviolence #sexualassault #misogyny #education – at Halifax, Nova Scotia