[Viva] Criminalization of HIV case in Abbotsford.

[Bea Ranville]

Creator Bless you and your family.  Know your supported and I need to
ackowledge you strength and courage.

Love your sister,

Flo

On Aug 16, 2017 11:19 AM, "Shannon Olson" <mckee_law at msn.com> wrote:

> I would like to start by thanking all of the people who have reach out
> with love and support. I am truly thankful.
>
> As many of you are aware, I divorced the accused some time ago and am now
> remarried to an amazing, terrific man, who is supportive and treats me, and
> my daughters, with the love and respect we deserve.
>
> Being in a tremendously abusive relationship for 15 years, with the
> accused, I have found it difficult, but necessary, to ensure the police are
> educated about HIV, and they understand the spirit of this law ought to be
> for people who are intentionally trying to infect others.
>
> Nevertheless, the police have chosen to pursue this case because the
> accused has been charged with so many previous crimes, including weapons
> offences, and has got off on all of his previous charges. He has also filed
> an uncountable number of police complaints. Essentially, they want him on
> anything they can get him on.
>
> Three women initially came forward with complaints that the accused did
> not disclose his HIV status before engaging in unprotected sex. Since the
> police issued the public media statement, and opened a tip line, many, many
> more women have come forward. The number of complainants has been increased
> to 13 and he was rearrested last Thursday. He is being held in custody
> after two adjournments of his bail hearing.
>
> This has deeply affected my children, and my family. I feel very torn as
> I have felt the obligation to my brothers and sisters who live with HIV to
> ensure the police have been educated and the necessary advocacy
> organizations have been notified.
>
> I have also felt it necessary to ensure the complainants have been
> supported because many of us know what it feels like to be in a situation
> where we face the fear of acquiring HIV and how deeply this knowledge of
> being exposed can affect our lives, regardless if the accused was
> undetectable or not.
>
> I have worked with the police to ensure they were aware that women had the
> option to be tested in their communities, as the police were initially
> sending these women to VGH from Mission to be tested. I have also worked
> with the police to ensure the police are referring the women to some sort
> of support so they get accurate information about HIV.
>
> What I can tell you is the accused has a criminology degree and was fully
> aware of the law, the criteria for a conviction, and the consequences. He
> even went to great lengths to research the subject. Yet, the accused chose
> to allegedly engage in unprotected sex with more than 13 women, several
> which have not been interested in filing a complaint at this point in time.
>
> I have also gone to great lengths to ensure the advocacy groups have
> followed up to make sure the accused is getting his medications while in
> custody.
>
> As there continues to be a no contact order in place since early 2016, the
> accused is not allowed to contact me or one of my daughters. Considering
> the history of abuse, and threats of violence, and attacks, which initiated
> this no contact order, I believe I have gone above and beyond my
> obligations and can do no more.
>
> I am thankful there is now a media ban on this case to protect my
> daughters, myself, and my new husband, from the attention this has brought
> to our family.
>
> At this point I am now focussing on nurturing and supporting my three
> daughters, and allowing myself to be nutured and supported ( which I am not
> good at). I need to remind myself and my daughters that this his the
> accused journey, and not ours.
>
> I hope this clarifies the situation for many who are struggling and
> triggered, as a result.
>
> Take very good care and much love to all.
>
> Shannon
>
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