[Viva] Criminalization of HIV case in Abbotsford.

Wed Aug 16 13:27:07 PDT 2017

Dear Shannon,

I truly can imagine how confusing and terrifying this all must be, and has
been. I can only say you have tremendous courage and strength to do what
you have done, and have garnered support from the women in ViVA in heart,
spirit and soul. I am honored to hear your story, and am moved beyond words
by your honesty.  Thank you for sharing. I hope you are be surrounded by
love and respect as you proceed on this challenging and critical journey.

Respectfully
Shelly Tognazzini

On Aug 16, 2017 2:14 PM, "Denise Wozniak" <deniseswozniak at gmail.com> wrote:

> Thank you for your amazing strength and courage in speaking out. I am
> extremely happy you have support from the man you deserve and who you love.
>
> Abuse stems from believing you are all important and wanting to control
> others. It is terrible you had to suffer through this for so long and often
> we are all too silent and blame ourselves for it going on.  No more. We are
> not to blame for abusers' determination to submit us to their selfishness
> and meanness.
>
> You have gone above and beyond because that is who you are. You have shown
> kindness when you must have been worried.
>
> I am so proud to know you.
>
> Denise
>
>
>
> On Wed, Aug 16, 2017 at 11:51 AM, Bea Ranville <flobea6868 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> 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
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Viva mailing list
>>> Viva at lists.resist.ca
>>> https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/viva
>>>
>>>
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>
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